COVID-19 Guidance for Nursing Home and Long-Term Care Facility Workers

OSHA is committed to protecting the health and safety of America’s workers and workplaces during the COVID-19 pandemic. The agency is issuing a series of alerts designed to keep workers and patients safe.

The following steps can help reduce exposure to the coronavirus for workers in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. The highlighted areas indicate the Safety Triad features.

• Instruct sick workers to stay home.
• Screen workers and residents regularly for signs and symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
• Quarantine workers and residents if they have been exposed to an individual with COVID-19.
• Follow CDC guidance on resident visitation policies.
• Ask visitors to inform the facility if they develop a fever or symptoms consistent with COVID-19 within 14 days of their visit.
• Implement physical distancing practices to maintain at least six feet between workers/residents/visitors, including while workers perform their duties and during breaks.
• Stagger break periods to avoid crowding in breakrooms.
• Use alternatives to large in-person gatherings (e.g., staff meetings, resident activities).
• Have a qualified ventilation professional evaluate the building’s HVAC system.
• Provide handwashing facilities and alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent ethanol or 70% isopropanol throughout the facility.
• Regularly clean and disinfect frequently-touched surfaces in resident rooms, staff work stations, and common areas.
• Use hospital-grade cleaning chemicals.
• Ensure workers have and use any personal protective equipment (PPE) they need to perform their jobs safely.
• Continually monitor the facility’s stock of PPE, burn rate, and supply chains. Develop a process for cleaning and decontaminating PPE, such as face shields and goggles, as appropriate.
• Train workers on COVID-19 policies and procedures in a language they understand.
• Ensure policies encourage workers to report any safety and health concerns.

For the latest guidance and other resources on protecting workers from coronavirus, visit OSHA’s Protecting Workers Guidance.

For more information on the Safety Triad and how it can be effective for your business, please contact us.