Since COVID-19 took over in 2020, workplace health has been turned upside down. Guidelines we once took for granted no longer apply. Safety rules that once made perfect sense are no longer feasible with COVID restrictions.
And most of all, as the pandemic has worn on and the situation has evolved, there’s been a constant barrage of new information. As an employer, it’s hard to know where to turn first.
We understand the challenge you’re facing. That’s why we’re here to make it a little easier, with an easy reference list of the best sources of work safety information. While you can’t control every information source your workers use, you can share some of the best ones with them.
Centers for Disease Control
If you need work safety information related to COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) should be the first provider on your list.
The CDC offers a long list of what we like to call bedrock resources – web pages and documents that form the foundation of your entire approach to COVID-19. Like their safety guidance for businesses and employers, which was updated earlier this month and will continue to be updated as the pandemic wears on.
In these pages alone, you’ll find a huge collection of resources on testing, contact tracing, worker support, and more. You can also find at-home resources to help equip your workers to protect their own families.
OSHA and the Department of Labor
If you need workplace-specific guidelines, your best resource is OSHA and the Department of Labor.
OSHA has a library of resources on the pandemic, ranging from news to clarification on interim COVID-19 procedures to outbreak control and prevention information. The Department of Labor, meanwhile, offers resources from all of the agencies under its umbrella, including OSHA.
Your Local Government
Last but not least, don’t forget to check out the latest guidance from your state and local government.
In the absence of federal guidance, local governments have taken the lion’s share of responsibility for managing outbreaks in their areas. Governors, as well as city and town mayors, county leaders, and community leaders have offered everything from community support to emergency orders.
If you need somewhere to start, always take a look at your local news and your state and local government websites. If local, state, and federal guidelines don’t match for any reason, the safest route is to follow the strictest guidelines.
Sharing Critical Work Safety Information
We know that it’s a challenge to stay up-to-date with all the latest COVID-19 information. But we also know that sharing critical work safety information is the best way to ensure your workers rely on the right resources and, most importantly, stay compliant to keep everyone safe.
If you need more great tips to share with your employees, make sure to check out our blog for more posts on how to find and share essential information, like these health and safety blogs to share with your employees.