In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, OSHA will be issuing a series of industry-specific alerts designed to help employers keep workers safe. If you are an employer in the retail industry (e.g. pharmacies, supermarkets, and big box stores), the following tips can help reduce your employees’ risk of exposure to the virus:
- Encourage workers to stay home if they are sick.
- Provide a place to wash hands or alcohol-based hand rubs containing at least 60% alcohol.
- Maintain regular housekeeping practices, including routine cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces and equipment with EPA-approved cleaning chemicals from list N, or that have label claims against the coronavirus.
- Practice sensible social distancing, maintaining six feet between co-workers and customers, where possible.
- For example, some worksites have already begun demarcating six-foot distances with floor tape in checkout lines.
- Workplaces where social distancing is a challenge should consider innovative approaches, such as opening only every other cash register, temporarily moving workstations to create more distance, and installing plexiglass partitions.
- Use a drive-thru window or curbside pick-up.
- Provide workers and customers with tissues and trash receptacles.
- Train workers in proper hygiene practices and the use of workplace controls.
- Allow workers to wear masks over their nose and mouth to prevent them from spreading the virus.
- Encourage workers to report any safety and health concerns.
Through our decades of experience in the retail and legal industries, we have the knowledge and experience needed to efficiently and effectively address any legal situation that might arise. For help with retail-related OSHA matters, please call (312) 894-3322 or fill out our contact form.
Additional OSHA COVID-19 Resources
Worker Exposure Risk to COVID-19
COVID’s Impact on Workers Compensation Claims and OSHA Recordable Cases