OSHA Updates Guidance for Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace

On Aug. 13, 2021, OSHA once again updated its guidance on mitigating and preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. The latest guidance reflects developments in science and data including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) updated COVID-19 guidance that was issued on July 27, 2021. This updated guidance expands information on appropriate measures for protecting workers in higher-risk workplaces with mixed-vaccination status, particularly for industries noted for prolonged close-contacts like meat processing, manufacturing, seafood and poultry processing, grocery and high-volume retail and agricultural processing.

The guidance has been updated twice since its original publication date of Jan. 29, 2021.  

Updated Guidance

OSHA’s latest guidance:

• Recommends that fully vaccinated workers in areas of substantial or high community transmission wear masks;
• Recommends that fully vaccinated workers who have close contacts with people with coronavirus wear masks for up to 14 days;
• Clarifies recommendations to protect unvaccinated workers and other at-risk workers in industries with prolonged close contact; and  
• Links to the latest guidance on K-12 schools and CDC statements on public transit.
   

The updated guidance expands information on appropriate measures for protecting workers in higher-risk workplaces with mix-vaccination status workers.

Employer Next Steps

Employers should continue to take steps to protect at-risk or unvaccinated workers in their workplace. Employers can do this by implementing multilayered interventions to protect these workers and mitigate the spread of COVID-19.  

Important Information

OSHA continues to emphasize that vaccination is the optimal step to protect workers and encourages employers to engage with workers and their representatives to implement multi-layered approaches to protect unvaccinated or otherwise at-risk workers from COVID-19.