News
ISSA Urges Revision of OSHA’s General Industry Standards
May 7, 2020
ISSA has submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) urging the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to revise OSHA General Industry Standards to require employers to establish and implement a routine cleaning, disinfection, and hand hygiene program.
ISSA’s comments responded to a DOL invitation to participate in the department’s “Opening America’s Workplaces Again National Online Dialogue.” The public was invited to share ideas on the following six topics:
- Reopening business
- Commuting safely
- Working safely
- Accommodating members of vulnerable populations
- Supporting America’s families
- Reducing regulatory burdens.
DOL will use the ideas and feedback collected during this dialogue as the department continues to develop compliance assistance materials and guidance for workers and employers and will share relevant comments with policymakers at the federal, state, and local levels as they develop and refine plans on reopening America’s workplaces.
“It’s well-established that SARS-CoV-2 and other infectious agents can survive on environmental surfaces for days and that the touching of such surfaces is a common means of spreading infectious diseases along with person-to-person transmission,” said Bill Balek, ISSA General Counsel. “The establishment of an OSHA Standard that requires employers to establish and implement a routine cleaning and disinfection, as well as hand hygiene programs, will significantly reduce the transmission of infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and protect the health and well-being of workers.”
ISSA is working diligently to support the full spectrum of the U.S. and worldwide cleaning industry during the COVID-19 emergency, including providing a variety of government affairs resources to support our members during this challenging time. For questions regarding ISSA’s advocacy efforts, including the association’s response to COVID-19, please contact John Nothdurft, ISSA Director of Government Affairs, at [email protected].
