LOHP Responding to COVID-19
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The COVID-19 crisis highlights how workers’ health is crucial for public health, and workers and their advocates have been demanding that their health and safety be protected from this new virus. We have been responding by working with our partners to identify protective strategies and joining in statewide advocacy efforts, recognizing both the urgent need workers face now and the opportunity to promote policies that address health inequities and strengthen worker protections as a whole.
Here is a brief recap of some of our activities - contact us if you have questions, need assistance or would like to partner with us.
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LOHP has been actively responding to our partners’ request for technical assistance, materials development, and educational webinars that focus on COVID-19 and worker health, and describe prevention measures and workers’ rights. We have focused attention on essential workers through our LOHP webinars in
English
and
Spanish
and have contributed to programs developed by others’, including the
National Council of Occupational Safety and Health
. We have also created industry-specific presentations and courses in English and Spanish for the National Domestic Workers Alliance,
SEIU-USWW’s janitors, security officers, airport workers
, and
farmworkers
. We are developing a training on stress and resiliency, which we will first pilot in Spanish with workers in essential industries in Contra Costa County.
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Webinar with National Domestic Workers Alliance
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Facebook live with SEIU-USWW
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Webinar - Protecting Workers in Essential Industries
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We are developing research partnerships to document the experiences workers are facing during this pandemic. Currently, we are working with UFCW Local 5 and researchers from our School of Public Health to survey over 20,000 union members working in grocery stores. We want to capture the types of protective measures that stores are putting in place, and workers’ experiences with these and the work culture overall. This is part of an effort to assess the impact of the pandemic on workers’ health and well-being and identify best practices.
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LOHP has been working with a number of statewide coalitions of workers centers, community-based organizations and unions to identify gaps in protections and benefits for workers impacted by COVID-19 and develop policy proposals that would ensure that workers are protected now and as more businesses reopen. Worker advocates have issued a
demand letter
to Governor Newsom laying out proposals for stronger protections for workers.
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Questions about COVID-19 and Worker Health?
Check out our Resource Page
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We created and regularly update a comprehensive
online resource page
on worker health and COVID-19. It includes agency guidelines and information on employer responsibilities, resources by specific occupations, multilingual resources for workers, webinars, and training tools. Given the increase in use of disinfectants, we also have resources that describe how to work safely with these products. Recent additions include tailored
worker outreach materials we developed for the
Restaurant Opportunities Center
and the Maintenance Cooperation Trust Fund, the California Governor’s recently issued Industry Guidance to Re-Opening, and a checklist from NIEHS for Prevention of Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 Virus in Non-Healthcare Industries.
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Now that states and localities are planning for re-opening and allowing more workers to return to work, there is greater focus on identifying how to protect workers in a broader number of sectors – ranging from schools to janitors in office buildings to retail and others. The timing and phases for reopening will vary based on type of industry and on the degree of community transmission in different areas. Until there is a vaccine or specific treatment for COVID-19, we know we have to proceed with caution and that the same recommendations that have been in place (such as distancing and cleaning) are still necessary.
Here are some tips for workers and worker organizations as we enter these phases:
- Ask the employer what kind of plan is in place to protect workers when they return. In California, a written plan is required as part of the Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP). Workers should be involved in developing the plan - which should address how workers might be exposed, what prevention measures will be in place, and what will happen if someone is exposed or sick, among other things.
- Think about the protections that need to be in place so that workers are able to:
- Maintain physical distance: people spaced at least 6 feet apart
- Wash their hands frequently: accessible hand washing stations; enough soap, water, sanitizer supplies; enough time for staff to do this
- Cleaning and disinfecting: enough supplies, training for workers on how to work safely with these chemicals, and enough staff to do these tasks
- Check out some of the industry-specific guidelines that Cal/OSHA is developing. Employers are expected to address the issues and recommendations in the guidelines in their IIPPs.
- If workers are going to be in contact with the public or others, ask about the employer’s assessment of these hazards. Are physical barriers or other controls needed to keep workers apart from others? What about personal protective equipment?
- Different industries may need to adjust expectations - on production and timelines. Think about whether adjustments to work pace, workload and scheduling are needed to allow workers to keep distance, wash hands, and clean and disinfect.
- Ask what the plan is if someone has symptoms or is particularly vulnerable to the illness, and how workers will be supported so they can stay home if needed. For example, expanded sick leave policies so workers can safely self-identify if they have symptoms and stay home, without fear of losing work or compensation, and unemployment benefits if workers feel unsafe returning to work. In California, there is now easier access to workers comp if workers contract COVID-19 on the job.
- Ensure that workers can speak up about their concerns without fear of retaliation and that workers and their organizations can be involved in decisions relating to their health and safety.
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Check out the new resource on return to work from National COSH
– available in
English
and
Spanish
.
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May is Safe Jobs for Youth Month
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Every spring we kick off the teen summer job season by declaring May as “Safe Jobs for Youth Month”. Our goal with this
Resource Kit
is to help teachers and other youth educators by providing some fun and informative teaching materials, including new activities that teachers can use with students during shelter-in-place. Despite the pandemic, many young people may still be entering the workforce for the very first time during the summer, in jobs where they potentially face new health and safety risks. There’s a good chance no one has told them about their job rights and responsibilities, or how to stay safe at work.
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Webinar: Protecting California Workers
from Wildfire Smoke
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Protecting California Workers
from Wildfire Smoke Webinar
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California has experienced deadly and destructive fire seasons that are predicted to become more frequent. As a result, many workers are impacted by unhealthy air quality, including farm workers and school employees. Cal/OSHA developed an emergency standard on wildfire smoke in 2019.
In this webinar, learners will explore the standard’s requirements, how it applies in agricultural and school settings, and recommendations for preparing worksites for future wildfire seasons.
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Wednesday, June 3, 2020 | 12 - 1 PM (Pacific)
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