The Department of Labor’s (DOL) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on August 13 issued updated guidance to mirror the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance that addressed the use of masks for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. The guidance also specifically addressed the meat and poultry processing sector.
OSHA’s updated guidance recommends that fully vaccinated workers in areas of substantial or high community transmission wear masks in order to protect unvaccinated workers, recommends that fully vaccinated workers who have close contacts with people with COVID-19 wear masks for up to 14 days unless they have a negative COVID-19 test at least three to five days after such contact, and clarifies recommendations to protect unvaccinated workers or workers specifically in manufacturing, meat and poultry processing, or agricultural processing more broadly.
Specific to meat and poultry processing, the guidance states that barriers do not replace the need for physical distancing and face coverings and that at least six feet of separation should be maintained between unvaccinated and otherwise at-risk individuals whenever possible. Also, if barriers are used where physical distancing cannot be maintained, they should be made of a solid, impermeable material, like plastic or acrylic, that can be easily cleaned or replaced. Finally, the guidance said that there should be adequate ventilation in the facility, or if feasible, move work outdoors.
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on August 4 said that federally regulated meat and poultry processing establishments are expected to follow the latest CDC guidance and require individuals inside establishments to wear masks regardless of vaccination status if an establishment is in an area of substantial or high COVID-19 transmission.
Transmission levels by area can be found at CDC’s COVID Data Tracker.
The CDC on July 27 updated previous guidance to recommend that fully vaccinated individuals should wear masks indoors in certain circumstances. Specifically in areas with substantial and high transmission, CDC recommends that all individuals wear a mask in public indoor settings.
