The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the United States was reported on January 21, 2020. The first confirmed case in Pennsylvania was reported on March 6, 2020.
As I write, the State of Pennsylvania has over 41,000 confirmed cases and 1,500 fatalities. The resources provided in this article can provide you with additional information in regards to statistical breakouts which include: age range of confirmed infected rates, age range of confirmed fatalities, county to county case and fatality rates, and additional empirical data regarding, sex, race, and nursing home numbers.
Over the past three weeks, I have presented to over a thousand people regarding safety and the COVID-19 pandemic. The first two initial resources I utilized were the CDC recommendations and OSHA guidance documents found below:
- OSHA 3990 – Guidance for Preparing the Workplace for COVID-19: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf
- OSHA 3989 – Preventing Worker Exposure to COVID-19: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3989.pdf
The situation continues to evolve, in some cases, state by state almost daily. As a result, the public has been bombarded with information. We have taken the time to review and sift through the overwhelming amount of information to provide clear and concise guidance. Many businesses in Construction and General Industry have relied upon safety professionals to provide direction through the multitude of OSHA Regulations.
A listing of the most pertinent OSHA Standards that still impact our businesses on a daily basis in regards to this virus is can be found here: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/standards.html
On this webpage you will find OSHA Standards and further clarifications from a Federal OSHA level regarding the following:
- Handling COVID-19-related complaints, referrals, and severe illness reports (Interim Enforcement Response Plan)
- Recording cases of COVID-19
- Required annual fit-testing in healthcare & all other industries
- Supply shortages of disposable N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs)
- Use of respiratory protection equipment of other countries certified under standards of other countries
- Decontamination of FFRs in healthcare
- Considering employers’ good faith efforts to comply with OSHA-mandated training, audits, assessments, inspections, and testing
Over time there has been some “loosening” of Federal OSHA Standards during the COVID-19 virus across the United States. It is our responsibility as business owners, managers, and co-workers to ensure the safety of those we see at work and at home.
As we begin to “see the light at the end of the tunnel”, the State of Pennsylvania Department of Health has issued guidelines for us to proceed, starting with:
- PA State face-covering requirements – Began April 19 at 8pm: https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/gov-wolf-calls-for-universal-masking/
- For Businesses: https://www.pa.gov/guides/responding-to-covid-19/#ForBusinesses
- Process to reopen Pennsylvania: https://www.governor.pa.gov/process-to-reopen-pennsylvania/
The Federal OSHA also issued new guidance documents aimed at specific industries:
- Construction returning to Work: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA4000.pdf
- Manufacturing: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA4002.pdf
- Package Delivery Workforce: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3998.pdf
- Retail Workers: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3996.pdf
Navigating the above resources and staying on top of the constant updates is understandably overwhelming for employers and employees. That is why we are here. It is important to know that you have a safety professional you can rely on for questions and concerns. The HMK Risk Management Department is your direct resource during this pandemic. Along with educating yourself on regulations and issued guidance, I firmly believe that an informed employee is the best asset to an employer. That being said, I would like to remind everyone of the following:
- Ask questions
- Self-report symptoms
- Continue practicing social distancing
- Disinfect your work area at the start and end of your day (minimum)
- Stay informed; Utilize the HMK Risk Manager
Hope to see you all in-person, soon!
Jade Simmers, Director of Risk Management