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Home›Courses›Safety Training›COVID-19: Staying Safe at Work for Employers

COVID-19: Staying Safe at Work for Employers

25 minutesENSafety TrainingOSHA General Duty Clause / CDC Workplace Guidance - Employer Infection Control
Quick Answer

COVID-19: Staying Safe at Work for Employers is a 25-minute online course that trains employers and managers on developing workplace infection control plans, implementing CDC-recommended control measures, and maintaining OSHA compliance for infectious disease prevention. It is designed for business owners, HR directors, and safety managers responsible for workplace health policies and includes a downloadable certificate of completion.

Course Overview

Employers bear primary responsibility for establishing and maintaining workplace infection control programs. OSHA's General Duty Clause requires workplaces to be free from recognized hazards, and the agency has issued specific guidance on developing infection control plans that address screening, ventilation, hygiene, PPE, and vaccination support. Respiratory illnesses were the most commonly reported illness category in OSHA's 2024 employer-reported injury data. Employers who lack documented infection control programs face increased regulatory scrutiny and potential General Duty Clause citations carrying penalties up to $16,550 per serious violation.

This course trains your management team on the components of an effective workplace infection control plan and how to put those measures into practice. Your managers will learn to develop screening protocols, create physical distancing strategies, establish cleaning and disinfection procedures, select appropriate PPE, implement CDC guidelines on control measures and vaccinations, and communicate policies effectively to employees. The course provides the management-level knowledge needed to protect your workforce and demonstrate regulatory compliance.

What You'll Learn

  • Components of an effective workplace infection control plan
  • Developing and implementing employee screening protocols
  • CDC guidelines on control measures including ventilation, distancing, and hygiene
  • Selecting and providing appropriate personal protective equipment for your workforce
  • Vaccination policy development and CDC vaccination guidance for employers
  • Communication strategies for infection control policies and employee expectations
  • OSHA recordkeeping requirements for work-related illness cases

Who Needs This Training

  • Business owners responsible for workplace health and safety policies
  • HR directors developing return-to-work and infection control programs
  • Safety managers implementing infection prevention measures across facilities
  • Operations managers overseeing daily compliance with workplace health protocols
  • Facilities managers responsible for ventilation, cleaning, and workspace configuration
  • Compliance officers documenting workplace health measures for regulatory readiness

Regulatory Background

Employers are obligated under the OSHA General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act) to maintain workplaces free from recognized hazards that cause or are likely to cause serious harm. While OSHA's healthcare-specific COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard has expired, the General Duty Clause obligation applies to all employers across all industries. OSHA's published guidance recommends that employers develop written infection control plans, improve workplace ventilation, provide appropriate PPE, support employee vaccination, and train workers on infection prevention practices. The CDC provides industry-specific recommendations that OSHA references in enforcement guidance. BLS 2024 data indicates respiratory illnesses remain a significant source of workplace illness cases. Employers without documented infection control programs may face increased scrutiny during OSHA inspections and potential citations with serious violation penalties up to $16,550 per instance.

Frequently Asked Questions

There is no current federal OSHA standard mandating a written COVID-19 infection control plan for general industry. However, the General Duty Clause requires employers to address recognized hazards, and OSHA guidance strongly recommends written infection control plans. Some states with OSHA-approved state plans may have additional requirements. Having a documented plan demonstrates due diligence and strengthens an employer's position in the event of an OSHA inspection or employee complaint.
OSHA and CDC guidance recommend that workplace infection control plans include hazard assessment, employee screening procedures, physical distancing protocols, hand hygiene and surface cleaning requirements, ventilation improvements, PPE selection and distribution, vaccination support, procedures for handling symptomatic or positive employees, communication protocols, and training requirements. Plans should be tailored to the specific workplace and updated as public health guidance evolves.
Yes. OSHA can cite employers under the General Duty Clause for failing to address recognized infectious disease hazards in the workplace. The agency has issued COVID-19-related citations under both the General Duty Clause and specific standards including respiratory protection (29 CFR 1910.134) and recordkeeping (29 CFR 1904). Serious violations carry penalties up to $16,550 per instance.
The employee version focuses on individual responsibilities - following screening protocols, using PPE correctly, maintaining hygiene, and understanding distancing requirements. This employer version focuses on management responsibilities - developing the infection control plan, implementing CDC-recommended control measures, establishing workplace policies, communicating expectations, and maintaining OSHA compliance documentation.
Yes. Under 29 CFR Part 1904, employers must record work-related COVID-19 cases that meet recording criteria, including cases resulting in death, days away from work, restricted work or job transfer, medical treatment beyond first aid, or loss of consciousness. The case must involve a confirmed positive test and be determined to be work-related under OSHA's recordkeeping standard. Employers should maintain accurate records as part of their overall compliance program.

Related Courses

Employers typically deploy this management-level course alongside COVID-19: Staying Safe at Work for Employees to ensure both leadership and staff understand their respective roles in infection prevention. For organizations developing a broader workplace safety program, the New Hire Safety Orientation bundle covers the foundational safety topics every employer should address during onboarding.

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$24.95
per person
Volume Pricing
Team Size Price per Person
1 - 9$24.95
10 - 24$19.95
25 - 49$17.95
50 - 99$17.50
Subtotal $24.95

Certificate of completion included. Downloadable upon passing the final assessment.

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$24.95
per person