New CAL/OSHA COVID-19 Industry Guidance

Overview

On March 19, 2020, the State Public Health Officer and Director of the California
Department of Public Health issued an order requiring most Californians to stay at home to disrupt the spread of COVID-19 among the population.

The impact of COVID-19 on the health of Californians is not yet fully known. Reported illness ranges from very mild (some people have no symptoms) to severe illness that may result in death. Certain groups, including people aged 65 or older and those with serious underlying medical conditions, such as heart or lung disease or diabetes, are at higher risk of hospitalization and serious complications. Transmission is most likely when people are in close contact with an infected person, even if that person does not have any symptoms or has not yet developed symptoms.

Precise information about the number and rates of COVID-19 by industry or
occupational groups, including among critical infrastructure workers, is not available at this time. There have been multiple outbreaks in a range of workplaces, indicating that workers are at risk of acquiring or transmitting COVID-19 infection. Examples of these workplaces include long-term care facilities, prisons, food production, warehouses, meat processing plants, and grocery stores.

As stay-at-home orders are modified, it is essential that all possible steps be taken to ensure the safety of workers and the public.

Key prevention practices include:

• physical distancing to the maximum extent possible,
• use of face coverings by employees (where respiratory protection is not
  required) and customers/clients,
• frequent handwashing and regular cleaning and disinfection,
• training employees on these and other elements of the COVID-19 prevention
  plan.

In addition, it will be critical to have in place appropriate processes to identify new cases of illness in workplaces and, when they are identified, to intervene quickly and work with public health authorities to halt the spread of the virus.

Purpose

This document provides guidance for the manufacturing industry to support a safe, clean environment for workers. The guidance is not intended to revoke or repeal any employee rights, either statutory, regulatory or collectively bargained, and is not exhaustive, as it does not include county health orders, nor is it a substitute for any existing safety and health-related regulatory requirements such as those of Cal/OSHA. Stay current on changes to public health guidance and state/local orders, as the COVID-19 situation continues. Cal/OSHA has additional safety and health guidance on their Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Infection Prevention for Logistics Employers and Employees webpage. CDC has additional information on their guidance for businesses and employers.

Please stay up to date on public health guidance, safety, prevention, and state or local COVID-19 orders.

View full COVID-19 Industry Guidance below.