In the wake of COVID-19 sweeping over the country, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a series of guidance’s to help employers reduce and mitigate exposure risks in the workplace.
Additionally, OSHA has issued direction on how and when employers need to report a COVID-19 case as a work-related illness on their OSHA 300 log.
Thank you to our friends at the Shipbuilders Council of America for sharing this important information with the USSA and our membership.
OSHA GUIDANCE’S ON COVID-19
RECORDING & REPORTING OF COVID-19 CASES IN THE WORKPLACE
OSHA recordkeeping requirements at 29 CFR Part 1904 mandate covered employers record certain work-related injuries and illnesses on their OSHA 300 log.
COVID-19 can be a recordable illness if a worker is infected as a result of performing their work-related duties. However, employers are only responsible for recording cases of COVID-19 if all of the following are met:
1. The case is a confirmed case of COVID-19 (see CDC information on persons under investigation and presumptive positive and laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19);
2. The case is work-related, as defined by 29 CFR 1904.5; and
3. The case involves one or more of the general recording criteria set forth in 29 CFR 1904.7 (e.g. medical treatment beyond first-aid, days away from work).
The Office of Health Enforcement is actively reviewing the policy and FAQs are being developed. Once the FAQs are made public, USSA will update the membership. In addition, USSA will continue to update the membership as new guidance’s and directives are issued out of OSHA.