Vigilant Blog

WASHINGTON: Governor announces phases for reopening state

On May 4, 2020, Washington Governor Jay Inslee extended the Stay Home — Stay Healthy order through May 31, 2020, and issued the state’s Safe Start plan that sets out the criteria for reopening Washington in phases so as to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 (coronavirus). Phase 1 of reopening began May 5 and…

CDC issues guidance on cleaning businesses and public spaces

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued detailed instructions on cleaning and disinfecting public spaces, workplaces, businesses, schools, and homes to help keep them free of COVID-19 (coronavirus). Much of the focus revolves around developing and implementing plans to maintain spaces in a clean and hygienic state as reopening continues. As…

COVID-19CaliforniaSafety and Health

CALIFORNIA: Cal/OSHA updates infection prevention guidance

Cal/OSHA has been updating and expanding its guidance for specific industries on how to protect workers from COVID-19 (coronavirus). We previously reported on guidance for the construction and logistics industries. According to the web page for Cal/OSHA Guidance on Requirements to Protect Workers from Coronavirus, those documents were updated on May 5, 2020, but the changes…

COVID-19OregonSafety and Health

OREGON: New COVID-19 rule for worker housing & ag operations

On April 28, 2020, the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Oregon OSHA) adopted a temporary rule to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in employer-provided housing, labor-intensive agricultural operations, and agricultural transportation. The new rule increases minimum standards for sanitation, toilet facilities, and handwashing facilities, and provides social distancing guidelines both for employer-provided housing…

OSHA tells health care employers how to decontaminate face masks

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued interim enforcement guidance on decontaminating and reusing disposable N95 filtering face piece respirators (FFRs) for protection against infectious agents, such as COVID-19 (coronavirus). The guidance applies to employers in the health care industry and doesn’t affect the use of disposable FFRs in facilities where the masks are used…

COVID-19CaliforniaSafety and Health

CALIFORNIA: Cal/OSHA issues guidance for construction & logistics

Cal/OSHA recently issued safety guidance for the construction and logistics industries, to protect workers from COVID-19 (coronavirus). The guidance documents don’t impose any new obligations; they offer ideas to help California employers address COVID-19 in their Injury and Illness Prevention Programs (IIPPs). Because the virus is widespread in California communities, Cal/OSHA says updating your IIPP…

COVID-19Safety and HealthWashington

WASHINGTON: DOSH addresses returning after COVID-19 exposure

Washington’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) issued an updated directive to its safety compliance officers, effective April 27, 2020, which incorporates guidance on when it’s okay to allow essential workers to return after a potential exposure to COVID-19 (coronavirus). This directive supersedes the April 7 version on which we previously reported. A “potential…

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EEOC updates guidance on COVID-19 workplace testing

On April 23, 2020, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) updated its COVID-19 FAQs to say that employers may test workers for COVID-19 (coronavirus) before they enter the workplace, because the virus poses a direct threat to health and safety. The EEOC has updated the guidance several times during the current pandemic to address employment…

COVID-19IdahoSafety and Health

IDAHO: Governor announces criteria and stages for reopening state

On April 23, 2020, Idaho Governor Brad Little issued criteria for reopening Idaho in stages to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 (coronavirus). The governor launched a new website, Idaho Rebounds – Our Path to Prosperity, which includes a specific section detailing the stages of reopening. As we recently reported, the governor’s Stay Home order…

COVID-19Safety and HealthWashington

WASHINGTON: Some low-risk construction allowed to restart

On April 24, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee announced that non-essential, “low-risk” construction projects that were previously paused may resume operation if they follow 30 specific safety requirements to contain the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). As we previously reported, residential and commercial construction was deemed non-essential unless it was related to providing other essential services, building…

Podcast available on restarting businesses after COVID-19

Vigilant’s safety team has released a 12-minute podcast on “Returning to Work after COVID-19.” Companies that have temporarily closed or reduced operations during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic are opening back up. Employers need to know how best to navigate these re-openings, keeping in mind current requirements for ensuring workers’ safety. Our podcast covers the basics…

Apr 23 2020