"The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued an alert listing safety tips employers can follow to help protect nursing home and long-term care facility workers from exposure to the coronavirus.
Safety measures employers can implement to protect workers in the nursing home and long-term care industry include:
Screen workers and residents regularly for signs and symptoms consistent with the coronavirus. Send sick workers home or to seek medical care;
Closely monitor and take additional precautions regarding employees and residents who may have been exposed to an individual with the coronavirus;
Ask visitors to inform the facility if they develop a fever or symptoms consistent with the coronavirus within 14 days of their visit;
Maintain at least 6 feet between workers, residents, and visitors to the extent possible, including while workers perform their duties and during breaks;
Stagger break periods to avoid crowding in breakrooms;
Consider alternatives to in-person large group gatherings (e.g., staff meetings, resident activities);
Continually monitor personal protective equipment (PPE) stocks, burn rate, and supply chains. Develop a process to decontaminate and reuse PPE, such as face shields and goggles, as appropriate. Follow CDC recommendations for optimization of PPE supplies; and
Encourage workers to report any safety and health concerns.
The new alert is available for download in English and Spanish..."
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