Workplace Safety and COVID 19

What is the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA)?

The Tennessee OSHA improves occupational safety and health through enforcement of health standards in the workplace. Existing OSHA standards apply to protect workers from the SARS-CoV-2 novel coronavirus that causes the disease known as COVID-19. https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/standards.html

• The General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act of 1970, 29 USC 654(a)(1) requires employers to furnish each worker “employment and a place of employment, which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm.”

• The Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) standards require using gloves, eye and face protection, and respiratory protection for certain tasks.

• The Sanitation standards require employers to provide soap, hot and cold (or tepid) water, and individual towels/air blowers in the workplace. The employer is required to permit employees to utilize restroom facilities as needed.

Employers must also protect workers from exposure to hazardous chemicals used for cleaning and disinfection.

When workers are exposed to hazardous chemicals, employers must comply with OSHA’s Hazardous Communication standard (29CFR 1910,1200) and Personal Protective Equipment standards (29 CFR 1910 Subpart I). https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1200

https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910#1910_Subpart_I

To kill SARS-CoV-2, one of the selected EPA-registered disinfectants for COVID-19 must be used and the 6 steps for safe and effective disinfectant use must be followed. https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-advanced-search-page-disinfectants-coronavirus-covid-19

https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-04/documents/disinfectants-onepager.pdf

What if occupational safety and health guidelines aren’t being followed at my workplace?
The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) of 1972 provides employees the right to file complaints and request inspections of possible safety and health hazards exist. Complaints from employees are taken seriously by TOSHA.

You may submit an anonymous complaint via phone call, fax, or online.

https://stateoftennessee.formstack.com/forms/notice_of_alleged_safety_health_hazards

Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Division of Occupational Safety and Health
220 French Landing Drive Nashville, TN 37243
Phone: (800) 249-8510 Fax: (615) 741-3325

I’m afraid if I submit a complaint, my employer will retaliate against me.

You have the right to request your name be kept confidential and not revealed to your employer. Employers are prohibited from discharging or discriminating against an employee who has exercised any right under the TOSHA Act, including the right to make a safety or health complaint. Complaints from employees who believe they have been discriminated against should be filed within thirty days of the alleged discriminatory action and will be investigated by TOSHA. https://www.tn.gov/workforce/employees/safety-health/tosha.html