Unfortunately, the recent outbreak of “COVID-19” is continuing to spread, and we would like to provide our clients with the latest information on protecting their workers. In addition to ongoing information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), OSHA has just released an excellent new guidance document: “Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19,” available at: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf
This document discusses important engineering and administrative controls, safe work practices, personal protective equipment, and the classification of employees into “Very High,” “High,” Medium,” and “Lower Risk” categories. The “Very High” category includes healthcare workers who perform various aerosol-generating procedures (some dental procedures and exams, invasive specimen collection, cough induction procedures, etc.). Various protection strategies and recommendations are outlined according to risk level.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also issued several documents, and continues to closely monitor and respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. We encourage our clients to take advantage of these resources and to check back often with the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Information can be found on recommendations for evaluating and identifying patients who should be tested for COVID-19, shared on March 4, 2020 on the CDC COVID-19 website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/hcp/clinical-criteria.html
The following CDC link contains guidance for healthcare facilities: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/healthcare-facilities/index.html
Please share this information with all employees so they will be aware of their risks according to work activities and hazards. The Exposure Control Program and Personal Protective Equipment Policy within your inUnison Consulting OSHA Policy and Procedure Manual contains additional helpful information.