Virginia has adopted statewide emergency workplace safety standards in response to the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. These first-in-the-nation safety rules will protect Virginia workers by mandating appropriate personal protective equipment, sanitation, social distancing, infectious disease preparedness and response plans, record keeping, training, and hazard communications in workplaces across the Commonwealth.
Newly adopted standards require all employers to mandate social distancing measures and face coverings for employees in customer-facing positions and when social distancing is not possible, provide frequent access to hand washing or hand sanitizer, and regularly clean high-contact surfaces. In addition, new standards require all employees be notified within 24 hours if a coworker tests positive for the virus. Employees who are known or suspected to be positive for COVID-19 cannot return to work for 10 days or until they receive two consecutive negative tests.
You can read Governor Northam's announcement here. For more information, visit the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry website or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) website.
If you feel unsafe in your workplace, you can file a formal complaint with the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration here.
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OSHA Guide to Returning to Work
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OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
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| CDC Resuming Business Toolkit
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