Virginia first in nation to adopt emergency COVID-19 workplace safety standards

The Virginia Safety and Health Codes Board Wednesday approved temporary emergency standards to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in workplaces. The new workplace safety standards are the first of their kind in the country.

The rules will protect workers by mandating appropriate personal protective equipment, sanitation, social distancing, infectious disease preparedness and response plans, record keeping, training and hazard communications in workplaces, according to a release from the Office of the Governor.

Gov. Ralph Northam directed the Department of Labor and Industry to draft new workplace safety guidelines in late May, in absence of any federal guidelines.. The new regulations will not go into effect until they are published in a newspaper of general circulation, which is expected to occur during the week of of July 27, 2020, according to meeting documents.

The emergency temporary standards will expire in six months, unless the governor's state of emergency expires or the temp standards are replaced with permanent guidance.

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The new temporary standards differ depending on each job's risk level. Some of the guidelines involve standards for information sharing, social distancing and sanitation.

Here are a few of the new requirements. All employers must:

• Mandate social distancing measures and face coverings for employees in customer-facing positions and when social distancing is not possible
• Provide frequent access to hand washing or hand sanitizer
• Regularly clean high-contact surfaces.
• Notify employees within 24 hours if a coworker tests positive for the virus

In addition, employees who are known or suspected to be positive for COVID-19 cannot return to work for 10 days or until they receive two consecutive negative tests. 

The AFL-CIO calls the Virginia's new regulations a victory for workers during the pandemic.

"Virginia had to step in where the Trump administration has failed woefully to protect workers who are risking our lives and our livelihoods during this pandemic," AFL-CIO President President Richard Trumka said in a press release. "Workers and our unions will continue to advocate for a federal standard that protects all working people, private and public, no matter where we live."

On Twitter, Northam celebrated the decision, saying that worker's should not have to sacrifice their health to earn a living.

According to Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball, keeping workers safe is a critical component of sustained economic recovery.

“COVID-19 is unfortunately going to continue impacting our everyday lives, and these regulations will provide for safer, more predictable workplaces for Virginians,” Ball said in the release.

The text of the emergency standard is currently being finalized and will be posted to the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry website at doli.virginia.gov.

This story is developing. Check back for updates.

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