OSHA Issues Updated COVID-19 Workplace Guidance

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently issued updated COVID-19 guidance for industries other than those covered by its previously issued Healthcare Emergency Temporary Standard.  Although it is non-binding on employers, the updated guidance is designed to help employers protect workers who are unvaccinated (including people who are not fully vaccinated) or otherwise at-risk, including if they are immunocompromised, and also implement new guidance involving workers who are fully vaccinated but located in areas of substantial or high community transmission.  In providing this updated guidance, OSHA has essentially adopted the CDC’s analogous recommendations. 

The updated guidance recommends that employers do the following: 

1. Facilitate employees getting vaccinated, including providing paid time off for employees to get vaccinated and recover from any side effects;

2. Instruct any workers who are infected, unvaccinated workers who have had close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, and all workers with COVID-19 symptoms to stay home from work;

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