The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on April 13 issued an alert listing safety tips employers can follow to help protect package delivery workers from exposure to coronavirus.
Safety measures employers can implement to protect employees in the package delivery industry include:
- Establishing flexible work hours (e.g., staggered shifts) where feasible;
- Minimizing interaction between drivers and customers by leaving deliveries at loading docks, doorsteps or other locations that do not require person-to-person exposures;
- Promoting personal hygiene. If workers do not have access to soap and water for handwashing, provide alcohol-based hand rubs containing at least 60% alcohol. Provide disinfectants and disposable towels workers can use to clean work surfaces, including vehicle interiors;
- Allowing workers to wear masks over their nose and mouth to prevent them from spreading the virus;
- Using EPA- approved cleaning chemicals from List N or that have label claims against the coronavirus; and
- Encouraging workers to report any safety and health concerns.
The alert is the latest effort by OSHA to educate and protect America’s workers and employers during the coronavirus pandemic. OSHA has also published Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19, a document aimed at helping workers and employers learn about ways to protect themselves and their workplaces during the ongoing pandemic.
Visit OSHA’s COVID-19 webpage frequently for updates. For further information about coronavirus, please visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
