1. COVID-19 Resources

I Want to Have a Safer and Healthier Workplace What information must I provide my employees regarding COVID-19?

  • The employer's COVID-19 prevention program procedures to protect employees from COVID-19 hazards and how employees can participate in the identification and evaluation of COVID-19 hazards.
  • Information on COVID-19 including:
    • COVID-19 is an infectious disease that can be spread through the air when an infectious person talks or vocalizes, sneezes, coughs, or exhales.
    • That COVID19 can also be spread when a person touches a contaminated object and then touches their eyes, nose, or mouth, though that is less common.
    • That an infectious person may have no symptoms.
    • The COVID-19 vaccine is effective at preventing COVID-19 and protecting against both transmission and serious illness or death.
  • Self-screening at home, including temperature and/or symptom checks using CDC guidelines.
  • The importance of not coming to work and getting tested if a worker has symptoms of COVID-19 as described by the CDC, such as a fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
  • The importance of frequent handwashing with soap and water, including scrubbing with soap for 20 seconds (or using hand sanitizer with at least 60% ethanol (preferred) or 70% isopropanol (if the product is inaccessible to unsupervised children) when workers cannot get to a sink or handwashing station, per CDC guidelines). Never use hand sanitizers with methanol due to its high toxicity to both children and adults. Ensure any independent contractors, temporary, or contract workers at the facility are also properly trained in COVID-19 prevention policies and have necessary supplies and PPE. Discuss these responsibilities ahead of time with organizations supplying temporary and/or contract workers.
  • Information on paid leave benefits the worker may be entitled to receive that would make it financially easier to stay at home. See additional information on government programs supporting sick leave and workers' compensation for COVID-19, and COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave.
  • The conditions when face coverings must be worn at work, and that employees can request them from the employer at no cost, and wear them without fear of retaliation.
  • The employer's policies for providing N95 respirators and the right for  employees to request them for voluntary use without fear of retaliation and at no cost to employees. Employees voluntarily using N95 respirators must be trained on proper use, limitations, and how to perform a user seal check each time they put it on.

Cal/OSHA FAQs on COVID-19 prevention requirements

February 2023