The Safety, Health, and Environmental Services program is closely monitoring the COVID-19/coronavirus situation. We are committed to you, our clients, and our mission to help keep Georgia workplaces safe for employees. Our greatest concern is for the health, safety, and well-being of our clients and staff. As a Unit of Georgia Tech, we will continue to comply with its operational directives, and that of the University System of Georgia.
As we navigate this uncertain time together, we would like to be your resource for the latest information on the virus, and how this will impact your business. Please continue to visit this resources page for the latest in helpful links, webinars, and current information.
OSHA’s primary resource is the OSHA COVID-19 Official Webpage. This page is updated regularly and we encourage you to review it frequently. Recent guidance and information on this page include:
- OSHA issues COVID-19 Healthcare ETS (Emergency Temporary Standard) (Note: Will not go into effect until published in the Federal Register): https://www.osha.gov/coronavirus/ets
- 3-12-2021—OSHA’s Revised Interim Enforcement Response Plan for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- 1-29-2021—OSHA issues updated employer guidance: Protecting Workers: Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace
- Guidance on Returning to Work, OSHA 4045
- COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions: Cloth Face Coverings
- OSHA Alert: COVID-19 Guidance for the Construction Workforce (English) (Spanish)
- Interim Enforcement Response Plan for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (will be rescinded on 18 Mar 2021)
- Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 (Spanish Version)
- Prevent Worker Exposure to Coronavirus (Spanish Version)
- Worker Exposure Risk to COVID-19 (Spanish Version)
- Temporary Guidance on the enforcement of OSHA’s Respiratory Protection standard:
- March 14 Memo (healthcare) and April 8 Memo (all other industries): Expanded Temporary Enforcement Guidance on Respiratory Protection Fit-Testing for N95 Filtering Facepieces in All Industries During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic
- April 3 Memo: on Respiratory Protection Equipment Certified Under Standards of Other Countries or Jurisdictions During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- April 3 Memo: on Respiratory Protection and the N95 Shortage Due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic
- Short video: Higher Risk Jobs Need Extra Protections to Keep Workers Safe
- Poster: Steps All Workplaces Can Take to Reduce the Risk of Exposure to Coronavirus (Spanish Version)
- NEW A new video on How to Properly Wear and Dispose of a Respirator
- NEW Posters on how to properly wear and dispose of a respirator English | Spanish
- Visit OSHA’s Publications webpage for other useful workplace safety information.
This jointly developed guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is intended for all Americans, whether you own a business, run a school, or want to ensure the cleanliness and safety of your home. This plan is part of the larger United States Government plan and focuses on cleaning and disinfecting public spaces, workplaces, businesses, schools, and can also be applied to your home.
The Wage and Hour Division’s (WHD) primary resource is the WHD COVID-19 Official Webpage.
- On this Web page, you can access information regarding how American workers and employers will benefit from the protections and relief offered by the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act, both part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) primary resource is the CDC COVID-19 Official Web Page. This page is being updated routinely and we encourage you to review it frequently. Recent guidance released and housed on this page includes:
- Maximizing Fit for Cloth and Medical Procedure Masks to Improve Performance and Reduce SARS-CoV-2 Transmission and Exposure, 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. ePub: 10 February 2021.
- EPA and CDC’s Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools and Homes (issued 29 April 2020)
- CDC COVID-19 Guidance Documents
- Strategies to Optimize PPE and Equipment (Healthcare)
- Resources for Businesses and Employers
- Cases in U.S.
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) primary resource is the WHO COVID-19 Webpage.
CPWR — The Center for Construction Research and Training’s primary resource is their COVID-19 Webpage.
- COVID-19 Ventilation Guidance, 14 Jan 2021
- Steps Construction Employers and Workers Should Take in Response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
ASHRAE — American Society for Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers has issued a position document on infectious aerosols (English) outlining ASHRAE’s position that facilities of all types should follow, as a minimum, the latest published standards and guidelines and good engineering practice. (Also available in Spanish and Portuguese.)
- ASHRAE Building Readiness Guide, Feb 2021
Additional resources:
- COVID-19 Pandemic Continuity of Operations Program Template (.pdf)
- Video: Update on COVID 19 Planning, Communication, Tools, Resources and Best Practices for the Meat and Poultry Industries
- AIHA’s Back to Work Safely
- Checklist for Healthcare Facilities: Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of N95 Respirators during the COVID-19 Response
- Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership’s (GaMEP) Coronavirus Resources