OSHA Guidance On Preparing Workplaces For A Pandemic

 

 

# 2860

 

 

It doesn't matter whether you own a business, or simply work for one, making your workplace better prepared to deal with a pandemic is essential.   

 

Since a pandemic wave could last 12 weeks or longer - and multiple waves could occur over a 1 or 2 year time span - simply closing the doors and sending everyone home may not be practical.  

 

From an economic standpoint, few businesses could withstand being shuttered for 3 months or longer, and few employees could manage financially without a paycheck for that long, either.

 

And from a more macro perspective - closing your doors could result in other businesses that depend on your goods or services having to cease their operations.  

 

The domino effect of which could greatly exacerbate the damage of a pandemic.

 

OHSA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, has published important guidance for businesses to help them stay operational during a pandemic.

 

The PDF file is called Guidance on Preparing Workplaces For an Influenza Pandemic.   If you haven't read it yet, and begun to implement their advice, now is a good time to start.

 

 

 

 

This booklet, which has been available now for two years, is guidance for workplaces - it does not provide new rules or regulations.   

 

There is, however, a generic clause in the OSH act of 1970 which allows that:

 

Pursuant to the OSH Act, employers must comply with hazard specific safety and health standards as issued and enforced either by OSHA or by an OSHA-approved State Plan.

 

In addition, Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act, the General Duty Clause, requires employers to provide their employees with a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm.

 

On Pandemicflu.gov FAQ on workplace questions, the following is asked:

 

Could an organization be held liable if their employees or customers contract pandemic influenza while working at or visiting its place of business?

 

Answer:

It is possible, especially in cases where you knew about these health concerns and failed to take the appropriate action (i.e., reasonable steps to mitigate the possible affects including instituting social distancing, good hygiene and infection control practices in the workplace). 

 

The Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has provided workplace safety and health guidance that will help employers prepare for an influenza pandemic.

 

Employers and businesses might therefore find it prudent to investigate their liability exposure before electing to ignore these guidelines.

 

As far as who should be preparing, this guidance has this to say:

 

 

 

The operative phrases being `all businesses and organizations' and `begin continuity planning for a pandemic now.'

 

It doesn't get much clearer than that.

 

The publication above is for most businesses, but for Health Care Settings, there is separate, more detailed guidance.

 

 

 

The HHS, CDC, and OSHA have a wealth of information available online to help you prepare your workplace for a pandemic. 

 

To get you started, here is a list of just some of the resources available from the HHS's Workplace pandemic planning page.

 

 

Employer and Employee Guidance

 

• Considerations for Antiviral Drug Stockpiling by Employers in Preparation for an Influenza Pandemic (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
  Provides guidance to employers on antiviral stockpiling to help protect the health of their employees and to assure continuity of operations.
• Proposed Guidance on Stockpiling of Respirators and Facemasks in Occupational Settings (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
• Interim Guidance on Environmental Management of Pandemic Influenza Virus
  CDC guidance on hygiene and use of disinfectants on surfaces frequently touched by hand (equipment, door handles, light switches, etc.).

• Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Guidance for Healthcare Workers and Healthcare Employers (PDF - 405 KB) (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

• Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for an Influenza Pandemic  (PDF - 313 KB) (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

  Provides guidance and recommendations on infection control in the workplace, including information on engineering controls, work practices, and personal protective equipment, such as respirators and surgical masks.

• Guidance for Protecting Workers Against Avian Flu (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

  Learn how employees who may be exposed to avian flu can stay protected.

• Cover Your Cough (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

  Includes flyers and posters, in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Chinese, Hmong, and Khmer.

• Stopping the Spread of Germs at Work (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

  Basic precautions for protecting employee health.

• Quick Cards for Employees to Protect Yourself from Avian Flu (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
  • General Precautions (PDF - 28.9 KB)
  • Poultry Employees (PDF - 28.3 KB)
  • Laboratory Employees (PDF - 28.1 KB)
  • Animal Handlers (PDF - 28.5 KB)
  • Food Handlers (PDF - 28.4 KB)
  • Health Care Workers
• Federal Employment Laws
  • Federal Employment Laws - For Employees
  • Federal Employment Laws - For Employers
  • Contacts for Employers and Employees with Questions on Federal Employment Laws
• Workplace Questions (U.S. Department of Labor, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)
  Information on many of the questions that arise during pandemic planning. The subjects covered include: human resource policies, equal employment and privacy issues, workplace benefits, workplace safety and health issues, and unemployment issues and financial assistance.

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