New OSHA guidelines, issued January 29, 2021, focus on implementing a COVID-19 workplace prevention program. In addition to a variety of recommendations, the Agency calls for employers to designate a COVID-19 Workplace Coordinator who is the primary point of contact for all COVID-19 issues at your practice.
WARNING: Don’t make the mistake of thinking that your practice can’t be audited. OSHA has made it clear that conducting on-site workplace inspections and investigations is a priority for them in 2021. Combine this with the $4 million in OSHA COVID-related violations assessed in 2020 and you can see how vital it is that you are compliant.
What Will Your COVID-19 Workplace Coordinator Do?
Your COVID-19 Coordinator is the conscience of your practice. They will need to have a firm handle on the new OSHA rules and ensure that your practice is in compliance. In a sea of regulatory information that changes almost daily, your COVID-19 Coordinator must be a reliable source of information that your entire team can depend on.
Some of the key components of the new OSHA COVID-19 rules that your Coordinator will need to master include:COVID-19 Workplace Coordinator.
- Identify possible staff COVID-19 exposure
- Develop multiple options to limit worker exposure and spread
- Worker protection based on possible risk to employee
- Communication strategy that staff will easily understand
- Train your team using formats that will be positively received
- Provide training in a language(s) your staff will understand
- Develop a training tracking process
- Implement a protocol for infected team employees
- Consider tele-work programs to help manage workloads
- Cleaning and disinfection guidelines (including documentation)
- Screening and testing rules
- Recording and reporting incidence of COVID positive cases
- Communicate an anonymous whistleblower process for workers
- Implement vaccine guidelines
IMPORTANT: Your COVID-19 OSHA Coordinator must also ensure that your office maintains appropriate documentation to defend against audits, future lawsuits and any future pandemics. Just being compliant may not be enough. The old adage, if it wasn’t documented it didn’t happen, certainly holds true here.
Who Should Not Be Your COVID-19 Workplace Coordinator?
Avoid making a hasty decision when choosing your COVID-19 OSHA Coordinator. It may be tempting to give the job to someone relatively new to your practice or an entry-level employee, since they seem to have the time, but this could be a massive mistake.
New and entry-level employees often have the highest risk of turnover. Which means that your OSHA compliance program could just be getting underway and your Coordinator could leave. Do you really want to take this risk? Some additional reasons not to choose a new or entry-level staff member include:
- Unfamiliarity with your practice’s policies and procedures
- Inadequate training, knowledge or experience to handle the necessary responsibilities
- Lower-level authority or ability to change necessary rules
- Mistrust from employees to get the job done
What Qualities/Skills Should Your OSHA Coordinator Have?
Consider appointing a grounded, conscientious employee who already has the authority and respect of your entire team. An ideal COVID-19 OSHA Coordinator candidate must be:
- Reliable
- Clear-headed in a crisis
- Able to multitask and delegate
- A strong project manager
- Adept at documenting and communicating policies
Bottom line, you need a well-rounded member of your team to succeed at this important position to protect your practice.
Who is the Best Person for the Job?
In many instances, someone from your clinical staff may be the best choice for your COVID-19 Coordinator. They have a solid understanding of COVID-19 protection requirements and have plenty of experience communicating. A nurse or hygienist can make an excellent Coordinator. If this doesn’t work for your office, choose a senior employee instead taking into account the qualities listed above.
Although finding the right COVID-19 Coordinator for your practice is certainly key, it’s only one small piece of the 2021 OSHA rules. The new Agency guidelines are complex, varied and constantly changing. You can get the help you need to implement these requirements from OSHA attorney and expert, Matthew Deffebach, JD. On Tuesday, March 16th at 1 pm ET, Matthew is presenting an online training session that can really help.
He will break down the new OSHA rules into easily digestible pieces, walk you through how to implement them, and ensure your ongoing compliance.
Don’t wait! Sign up for this expert-led online training today. COVID-19 Workplace Coordinator.
Note: You can read OSHA’s January 29, 2021 rule: Protecting Workers: Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace, on their website: https://www.osha.gov/coronavirus/safework
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