OSHA’s COVID-19 Guidance for the Workforce

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By Subcontractors USA News Provider

OSHA is committed to protecting the health and safety of America’s workers and workplaces during these unprecedented times. The agency continues to issue a series of industry-specific alerts designed to keep workers safe. 

COVID-19 Guidance for Food Truck Workers: The following steps can help reduce the risk of exposure to the coronavirus among food truck workers: 

  • Encourage workers to stay home if they are sick. 
  • Encourage workers to wear face coverings over their nose and mouth to prevent spread of the virus.
  • Maintain at least six feet between co-workers and customers, where possible. 
  • Use gloves to avoid direct hand contact with food items. 
  • Establish designated pick-up zones for customers and encourage physical spacing while waiting in line. 
  • Use “no-touch” delivery and payment options, if possible. 
  • Emphasize effective hand hygiene including washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
  • Regularly clean and disinfect all touchpads, countertops, and seating areas with Environmental Protection Agency-approved cleaning chemicals from List N (https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-coronavirus-covid-19) or that are labeled as effective against the coronavirus. 
  • Encourage workers to report any safety and health concerns. 

COVID-19 Guidance for the Manufacturing Industry Workforce: If you are in the manufacturing industry, the following tips can help reduce the risk of exposure to the coronavirus: 

  • Encourage workers to stay home if they are sick.
  • Establish flexible work hours (e.g., staggered shifts), if feasible. 
  • Practice sensible social distancing and maintain six feet between co-workers, where possible. 
  • For work activities where social distancing is a challenge, consider limiting the duration of these activities and/or implementing innovative approaches, such as temporarily moving or repositioning workstations to create more distance or installing barriers (e.g., plexiglass shields) between workstations. 
  • Monitor public health communications about COVID-19 recommendations for the workplace and ensure that workers have access to and understand that information.
  • Train workers on how to properly put on, use/wear, take-off, and maintain protective clothing and equipment.
  • Allow workers to wear masks over their nose and mouth to prevent spread of the virus.
  • Encourage respiratory etiquette, including covering coughs and sneezes. 
  • Discourage workers from using other workers’ tools and equipment.
  • Use Environmental Protection Agency-approved cleaning chemicals from List N (https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-coronavirus-covid-19) or that have label claims against the coronavirus.
  • Promote personal hygiene. If workers do not have access to soap and water for handwashing, provide alcohol-based hand rubs containing at least 60 percent alcohol. Provide disinfectants and disposable towels workers can use to clean work surfaces.
  • Encourage workers to report any safety and health concerns. 

For more information, visit www.osha.gov/coronavirus or call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742).

Source: OSHA

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