--- title: About COVID Hazards in the Workplace description: COVID-19 has been deemed a workplace hazard by OSHA. 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- - - [whatsapp://send?text=https://blog.axcethr.com/about-covid-hazards-in-the-workplace](whatsapp://send?text=https://blog.axcethr.com/about-covid-hazards-in-the-workplace) - [mailto:?subject=About%20COVID%20Hazards%20in%20the%20Workplace&body=https://blog.axcethr.com/about-covid-hazards-in-the-workplace](mailto:?subject=About%20COVID%20Hazards%20in%20the%20Workplace&body=https://blog.axcethr.com/about-covid-hazards-in-the-workplace) ![About COVID Hazards in the Workplace](https://blog.axcethr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/covid%20dangers.png?width=1000&name=covid%20dangers.png) According to the [Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University](https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6), as of August 15, 2020, COVID-19 cases had reached more than 21 million across the globe, with more than 5 million in the U.S.  [COVID-19 is considered a workplace hazard](https://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com/2020/06/osha-says-employers-must-plan-for-covid-19-hazards/)that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) says employers must address. Although the amount of risk that COVID-19 presents to workers varies by industry and occupation, even workers who don’t work directly with infectious people have similar exposure as the general public and they encounter common COVID hazards. CDC interim guidance for employers responding to COVID-19 identifies many common COVID-19 hazards in the workplace that facilitate transmission and/or create hardship issues. [![Addressing Employee Fears About Returning to Work During a Pandemic](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2652187/09eac722-b714-484a-9cf6-d6e47da58eed.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2652187/09eac722-b714-484a-9cf6-d6e47da58eed) **Risk Exposure Levels** Although OSHA says most American workers probably have low to medium exposure risk, the agency has identified [four risk exposure levels](https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/hazardrecognition.html) for workers. Lower exposure risk (caution) includes those working from home, those working in an office or manufacturing environment with little to no close contact with co-workers, clients, or the public, and long-distance trucker drivers. Medium exposure risk includes those who are frequently in contact with international travelers and those who work with the general public or high density work environments such as grocery, restaurant, and retail settings. High exposure risk includes healthcare delivery and support staff, and medical transport and mortuary workers.  Very high exposure risk includes healthcare workers such as doctors, dentists, nurses, and emergency workers performing respiratory procedures, dental, and other invasive procedures on COVID-19 patients, those handling specimens from infected people, and morgue workers working with COVID-19 fatalities.  [![FDA Warns New Toxic Ingredient Found in Hand Sanitizers Sold in US](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2652187/eb5f4e96-1a82-4361-bf78-79df2feded2e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2652187/eb5f4e96-1a82-4361-bf78-79df2feded2e) **COVID-19 Hazards at Work** - High touch surfaces and practices (door handles, handrails, trash cans, keyboards, telephones, work tools and equipment, microwaves, refrigerators, desktops, counters, greeting with handshakes, hugs, and high-fives) - Working or spending time in close proximity to many others (offices, training and conference rooms, elevators, restrooms, cafeterias, and breakrooms) - Poor air circulation in enclosed areas, faulty exhaust fans in restrooms, and dirty heating and air conditioning filters  - Sick co-workers (those who have symptoms upon arrival to work and those who become sick while at work)  - Close proximity to customers, especially the general public  - Psychosocial hazards from prolonged social distancing, anxiety and stress about contracting the virus, impact of illness or death of a friend or loved one, major changes in work practices, distraction and fatigue, and financial and interpersonal hardships due to the pandemic  - Mold growth, rodents or pests, and stagnant water systems after prolonged facility shutdowns  Infection prevention measures for workplaces that [OSHA recommends](https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3994.pdf) include respiratory etiquette including face masks and covering coughs and sneezes, hand washing and hand sanitizer, social distancing, limiting or eliminating sharing tools and equipment, limited worksite access to only essential workers, flexible worksites and work hours where possible, and cleaning and sanitizing of all high-touch surfaces. Implementing these safety practices minimizes and eliminates COVID hazards in the workplace to help control spread of the disease.   [![Randy Clayton](https://blog.axcethr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Randy%20for%20the%20blog.jpg?width=80&height=80&name=Randy%20for%20the%20blog.jpg)](https://blog.axcethr.com/author/randy-clayton) Written by #### [Randy Clayton](https://blog.axcethr.com/author/randy-clayton) Randy Clayton is the Safety and Health Consultant at Axcet HR Solutions. Clayton works closely with Axcet clients' safety committees, writes customized safety programs, performs OSHA walk-throughs to evaluate job hazards and assists clients when they must interface with OSHA. Clayton frequently provides safety training customized to the client's industry and company environment. Read more [View all posts →](https://blog.axcethr.com/author/randy-clayton) ### Get HR Updates ### Table of Contents #### [Testing Employees for COVID; What Employers Should Consider ![Testing Employees for COVID; What Employers Should Consider](https://blog.axcethr.com/hubfs/what%20employers%20should%20know%20about%20covid%20testing.png)](https://blog.axcethr.com/covid-testing-considerations-for-employers) #### [![Sign Me Up: The Employee Benefits Enrollment Process](https://blog.axcethr.com/hubfs/Benefits%20Enrollment.png) Sign Me Up: The Employee Benefits Enrollment Process](https://blog.axcethr.com/sign-me-up-the-employee-benefits-enrollment-process) ## Let us know what you think... ![AxcetHR Blog](https://blog.axcethr.com/hubfs/AxcetHR2021%20Blog/axcethr_logo_white%20(1).png) - [Why Axcet](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/) - [What We Stand For](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/what-we-stand-for/) - [Expertise](https://www.axcethr.com/expertise/) - [Employee Benefits](https://www.axcethr.com/services/employee-benefits/) - [Human Resources](https://www.axcethr.com/services/human-resources/) - [Payroll Services](https://www.axcethr.com/services/payroll-and-tax-administration-services/) - [Risk Management](https://www.axcethr.com/services/workers-comp-and-employee-safety-risk-management/) - [Meet the Team](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/meet-the-team/) - [Subscribe to Latest Resources](https://www.axcethr.com/subscribe-to-the-latest-resources/) - [Resource Library](https://www.axcethr.com/expertise/resource-library/) - [\[ Client Portal \]](https://www.axcethr.com/client-services/) - - - - - Search for: Copyright © 2023 Axcet HR Solutions – Kansas City's PEO Since 1988 | [Privacy Policy](https://www.axcethr.com/privacy-policy/) | [Terms and Conditions](https://www.axcethr.com/terms-conditions/) | [**Join our Team – Careers »**](https://axcethrsolutions.prismhr-hire.com/) 10975 Grandview Drive Suite 200, Corporate Woods Building 27, Overland Park, KS 66210 | Call us: 913-383-2999 *The IRS does not endorse any particular For more information on [certified professional employer organizations](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/certified-peo/), go to [www.irs.gov](https://www.irs.gov).* Remove cookies ![](https://dc.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=43031&fmt=gif) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Randy Clayton", "url" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/author/randy-clayton" }, "dateModified" : "2024-07-22T15:42:24.494Z", "datePublished" : "2020-08-25T14:30:00.000Z", "headline" : "About COVID Hazards in the Workplace", "image" : [ "https://blog.axcethr.com/hubfs/covid%20dangers.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/about-covid-hazards-in-the-workplace", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/hubfs/_logo_axcethr_primary.png" }, "name" : "Axcet HR Solutions" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.axcethr.com/#organization", "@type" : "Organization", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "US", "addressLocality" : "Kansas City", "addressRegion" : "MO" }, "aggregateRating" : { "@type" : "AggregateRating", "bestRating" : "5", "ratingValue" : "5", "reviewCount" : "100" }, "areaServed" : { "@type" : "Country", "name" : "United States" }, "award" : [ "IRS Certified Professional Employer Organization (CPEO)", "Award-Winning HR Solutions Provider", "SHRM Certified HR Professionals", "HRCI Certified HR Professionals" ], "contactPoint" : { "@type" : "ContactPoint", "areaServed" : "US", "availableLanguage" : "English", "contactType" : "Customer Service" }, "description" : "Award-winning Professional Employer Organization (PEO) providing comprehensive HR solutions, payroll services, employee benefits, and risk management to small and mid-sized businesses. 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Medium exposure risk includes those who are frequently in contact with international travelers and those who work with the general public or high density work environments such as grocery, restaurant, and retail settings. High exposure risk includes healthcare delivery and support staff, and medical transport and mortuary workers. Very high exposure risk includes healthcare workers such as doctors, dentists, nurses, and emergency workers performing respiratory procedures, dental, and other invasive procedures on COVID-19 patients, those handling specimens from infected people, and morgue workers working with COVID-19 fatalities. COVID-19 Hazards at Work High touch surfaces and practices (door handles, handrails, trash cans, keyboards, telephones, work tools and equipment, microwaves, refrigerators, desktops, counters, greeting with handshakes, hugs, and high-fives) Working or spending time in close proximity to many others (offices, training and conference rooms, elevators, restrooms, cafeterias, and breakrooms) Poor air circulation in enclosed areas, faulty exhaust fans in restrooms, and dirty heating and air conditioning filters Sick co-workers (those who have symptoms upon arrival to work and those who become sick while at work) Close proximity to customers, especially the general public Psychosocial hazards from prolonged social distancing, anxiety and stress about contracting the virus, impact of illness or death of a friend or loved one, major changes in work practices, distraction and fatigue, and financial and interpersonal hardships due to the pandemic Mold growth, rodents or pests, and stagnant water systems after prolonged facility shutdowns Infection prevention measures for workplaces that OSHA recommends include respiratory etiquette including face masks and covering coughs and sneezes, hand washing and hand sanitizer, social distancing, limiting or eliminating sharing tools and equipment, limited worksite access to only essential workers, flexible worksites and work hours where possible, and cleaning and sanitizing of all high-touch surfaces. 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