OSHA Updates Workplace Guidance

(from Venable) As the Delta variant upends employers' return-to-office plans, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued updated guidance concerning the mitigation and prevention of COVID-19 in the workplace. It reflects the new recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on July 27. The CDC is now recommending that everyone wear masks in public indoors settings in areas of substantial or high transmission of COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status. OSHA's new guidance also takes its strongest stance to date on employee vaccination, noting in its press release that vaccination is "the optimal step" in the protection of workers. The guidance includes stronger language highlighting the benefits of vaccination, and suggests that employers adopt mandatory vaccination or routine testing policies.

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