Wednesday, March 04, 2009

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.

 

 

 

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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:

 

 

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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.

 

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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