Holiday workplace safety: OSHA publishes tips, resources

Washington — To help keep safe the workers who play a role in getting “gifts from the warehouse to your home” for the holidays, OSHA has published a series for seasonal workplace safety tips and a video – including COVID-19-related guidance.

The agency’s recommendations cover workers in retail sales, order fulfillment and delivery. For retail employees, OSHA provides COVID-19 control and prevention tips. For delivery workers, the agency has four resources, including advice for the trucking industry, winter weather precautions and safety practices at a destination. Finally, for workers fulfilling orders, OSHA offers a warehousing safety resource along with information on forklift safety and ergonomics.

For all workplaces, the agency provides answers to a series of FAQs on protecting workers from exposure to the coronavirus, as well as videos on COVID-19 and training. It also supplies information on workers’ rights, temporary and seasonal workers, and young workers.

“As the nation enters a very different holiday shopping season, employers must ensure that all workers are trained to recognize and prevent job hazards, and incorporate safe work practices to prevent exposure to the coronavirus,” OSHA says.