Worker Safety During COVID-19

April 27, 2020

In California, employers are required to take steps to protect workplace health and safety. This is to safeguard workers exposed to infectious diseases like the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), which is widespread in California, including Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside, and San Bernardino. Cal OSHA has provided information to help employers follow the requirements and to provide workers with knowledge on how to protect themselves and prevent the spread of the disease. Industries affected include health care, agriculture, child care, construction, grocery stores, transportation, and funeral homes. If you work in one of these industries and believe you are working in unsafe working conditions, you should contact an employment lawyer. You may have legal protections against dangerous work environments.

COVID-19: Worker Safety Video

Watch this video on YouTube

COVID-19: Worker Safety Presentation

COVID-19 Common Signs and Symptoms:

Fever
Cough
Breathing Difficulties

Employers/Workplace Covered by the Aerosol Transmissible Diseases Standard(ATD):

Hospital, clinics, medical offices and facilities, home health care facilities, hospices, medical outreach services, medical transport and emergency medical services.
Laboratories, public health services, and police services that may expose employees to an aerosol transmissible disease.
Correctional facilities, homeless shelter and drug treatment facilities.

For Employers not covered by the ATD standard, CAL/OSHA recommends to follow these guidelines from CDC(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention):

Sick employees are encouraged to stay home.
Employees with acute respiratory illness symptoms should be sent home immediately.
Provide information and training on: Cough and sneezing etiquette, personal hygiene, hand washing/sanitation, Avoid close contact with sick persons, Avoid sharing personal items with co-workers(e.g. utensils, etc.), Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unsanitized hands.
Clean work environment and shared work equipment.
If required to travel, always check CDC’s Traveler’s Health Notices before travelling.

IMPORTANT LINKS:

1. Cal/OSHA

2. California Department of Public Health

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention