OSHA Issues New Guidance for COVID-19 Safety in the Workplace
Marci Kinter is the Vice President – Government & Regulatory Affairs at PRINTING United Alliance, the largest, most comprehensive member-based printing and graphic arts association in the United States. PRINTING United Alliance members have exclusive access to preeminent education; training; workshops; events; research; governmental and legislative representation; safety and environmental sustainability guidance; and resources from the leading media company in the industry – NAPCO Media.
In this article, Kinter addresses the latest guidance issued by OSHA on PRINTING United Alliance workplace safety. More information about COVID-19 workplace safety can be found at sgia.org/advocacy/safety-health/safety-health-resources and printing.org/programs/human-resources/families-first-coronavirus-response-act-and-other-coronavirus-information or reach out to Kinter should you have additional questions specific to how these issues may affect your business: mkinter@printing.org
To become a member of PRINTING United Alliance and learn more about how PRINTING United Alliance subject matter experts can assist your company with services and resources such as those mentioned in this article, please contact the Alliance membership team: 888-385-3588 / membership@printing.org.
OSHA Issues New Guidance for COVID-19 Safety in the Workplace
On January 29, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, as directed by President Biden’s Executive Order, published further guidance to help employers identify risks and determine appropriate exposure control measures to protect employees from exposures to COVID-19. While the guidance is not yet mandatory, it is a window into what the Agency may propose as an enforceable regulation when it considers the need to issue a regulation. President Biden’s Executive Order instructs OSHA, if determined necessary, to issue it by March 15, 2021. If issued, it be an Emergency Temporary Standard with an immediate effective date.
While a few states have issued emergency temporary standards (California, Michigan, and Oregon), only Virginia has issued a permanent COVID-19 standard. These state standards may be used as models for any OSHA standard and some of the requirements in these regulations are reflected in OSHA’s guidance. In addition, OSHA’s new guidance incorporates its previously issued recommendations and the most recent recommendations from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The Guidance encourages employers to implement a COVID-19 workplace prevention program that includes, among other items, conducting a hazard assessment of all job areas; identification of measures that will limit the spread of COVID-19 including use of personal protective equipment, face coverings and physical distancing; as well as enhanced cleaning and sanitation protocols.
OSHA’s guidance recommends that employers provide the COVID-19 vaccine to employees free of charge and provide training and education on the safety of vaccinations.
With the release of this new guidance, printing operations are encouraged to take steps now to evaluate their COVID-19 programs using this guidance as a road map to ensure that your prevention program will meet OSHA’s new standards. Printing companies in California, Michigan, Oregon, and Virginia may follow their state regulations that are already in effect.
PRINTING United Alliance will continue to monitor OSHA’s process on its consideration for an Emergency Temporary Standard and report on the outcome. In addition, PRINTING United Alliance has developed a fact sheet for its membership to help navigate the OSHA guidance document. Also, PRINTING United Alliance has its COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan available to help printing companies develop and adopt their COVID-19 programs.
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Marcia Kinter is the Vice President, Government & Regulatory Affairs at PRINTING United Alliance. Ms. Kinter oversees the development of resources for the Association addressing environmental, safety & health, and sustainability issues. She represents the printing industry, as well as their associated supplier base, before federal and state regulatory agencies on environmental, safety and other government issues directly impacting the printing industry.
In 2008, Kinter, in conjunction with colleagues from other printing trade associations, was instrumental in launching the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership program. The SGP Program is a registry system for printing facilities that includes third party verification. The program successfully launched as an independent organization in August 2008.
Kinter is a member of and serves as Secretary for the Academy of Screen Printing Technology. In 2001, Kinter received the William D. Schaeffer Environmental Award for significant advancement of environmental awareness in the graphic arts industry.
Before joining PRINTING United Alliance, Kinter worked for The American Waterways Operators, Inc., the national association for the barge and towing industry.
She holds bachelor’s degree in urban planning from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a master’s degree in public administration from George Mason University.
