COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
COVID-19 is still a recognized workplace hazard that employers must address. In addition to meeting requirements and following guidance for keeping workers safe, employers covered by recordkeeping rules are required to record workplace injuries and illnesses (including work-related COVID-19 illnesses) on an OSHA 300 log.
Use the information and resources on this page to help keep everyone safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you have other specific questions on how you can maintain a safe and healthy workplace, contact a DOSH consultant near you.
Workplace Discrimination
It is against the law for any employer to take any adverse action such as firing or threats against a worker for exercising safety and health rights such as raising safety and health concerns to their employer, participating in union activities concerning safety and health matters, filing a safety and health complaint or participating in a DOSH investigation. Workers have 30 days to file their complaint with L&I DOSH and/or with Federal OSHA.
- L&I Requirements and Guidance for Preventing COVID-19 (Updated October 31, 2022)
- What employers need to do when an employee gets COVID-19
- How to Assess COVID-19 Hazards at Work mobile-friendly eTool
- Sample COVID-19 Plan for Small Employers (Revised 1/4/2023)
- Coronavirus Basics For Employees (PowerPoint training for employers to customize with their worksite-specific information) (Revised 1/3/2023)
- Capacitación básica sobre el coronavirus (Spanish)
- Questions and Answers: New Reporting, Notification, and PPE Requirements for Public Health Emergencies Involving Infectious or Contagious Diseases
Guidance from other agencies
- Washington State Dept of Health Novel Coronavirus Outbreak info (doh.wa.gov)
- COVID-19: Airflow Patterns Matter - American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)
- Sequence for safely putting on and removing Personal Protective Equipment. Printable PDF (CDC)
Masks & Face Coverings Resources
- Questions and Answers – Masking and Respirators:
- Masking for Nursing and Residential Care
- Understanding the Difference Between Surgical Masks and N95 (CDC)
Respirator Program Resources
- Medical Evaluation Questionnaire for Respirator Use
- Translated versions of Medical Evaluation Questionnaire for Respirator Use:
| Language A-R | Language S-V |
|---|---|
| Amharic | Somali |
| Cambodian - Khmer | Spanish |
| Chinese - Simplified and Chinese - Traditional | Tagalog |
| Korean | Tigrinya |
| Punjabi | Vietnamese |
| Russian |
- Advisory Information for Employees Who Voluntarily Use Respirators
- Translated versions of Advisory Information for Employees Who Voluntarily Use Respirators:
Language A-R Language S-V Amharic Somali Cambodian - Khmer Spanish Chinese - Simplified and Chinese - Traditional Tagalog Korean Tigrinya Punjabi Vietnamese Russian
- Translated versions of Advisory Information for Employees Who Voluntarily Use Respirators:
- Respirator Program Planning Checklist For Required Use of N95s and Other Tight-Fitting Air-Purifying Respirators
- Respirator Program Template and Guide for N95 Use
Fit Testing
- Respirator Fit Testing (pre-COVID overview) and Spanish version
- Respirator Fit Testing Using Sweet and/or Bitter Solutions (U of Cincinnati Video)
- Seven Steps to Correctly Wear a Respirator at Work (OSHA Poster, available in 16 languages)
Agriculture
Cleanup and Sanitization
Health Care
- Interim Recommendations for SARS-CoV-2 Infection Prevention and Control in Healthcare Settings (Dept. of Health)
- Masking for Nursing and Residential Care
- Respirator Use to Prevent COVID-19 During Health Care Staff Shortages - February, 2022
- Information for Healthcare Professionals (CDC)
- Healthcare Provider Resources & Recommendations (DOH)
Long Term Care Facilities
- Masking for Nursing and Residential Care
- Respirator Program Template and Guide for N95 use at Long Term Care Facilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Respiratory Protection Program for Long-Term Care Facilities (DOH) provides free fit-test training, online respirator medical evaluations, and other resources.
Schools
- Requirements and Guidance to Mitigate COVID-19 Transmission in K-12 Schools, Child Care, Early Learning, Youth Development, and Day Camp Programs (Dept. of Health)
- Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance & Resources (Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction)
- What to do if a Person is Symptomatic or if You Receive an Exposure Notification or are Identified as a Close Contact (Dept. of Health infographic)
Ventilation
- COVID-19 Guidance on Ventilation in the Workplace
- COVID-19 Prevention: Improving Ventilation in Temporary Worker Housing
- Improve Workplace Ventilation to Reduce Risk of COVID-19 Transmission (Workplace Safety and Health Council YouTube video)
Working from home/Telecommuting
Temporary Worker Housing Emergency Rule
L&I has adopted Additional requirements to protect occupants in temporary worker housing from 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) exposure (WAC 296-307-16102). These emergency rules are effective 9/16/22 through 1/14/23.
DOSH Directives
These policies provide guidelines to L&I staff when enforcing WACs (Washington Administrative Codes).
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Inspections in High-Hazard Industries NEP (DOSH Directive 2.80). Updated August 25, 2021.
Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Rules
Accident Prevention Program (APP)
- All industries, except Agriculture: WAC 296-800-140
- Agriculture: Chapter 296-307, WAC Part B
- Some industries have additional requirements. Search Safety & Health rules for all APP requirements
Airborne Contaminants
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- All industries, except Agriculture: WAC 296-800-160
- Agriculture: Chapter 296-307, WAC Part H
- Public Health Emergency Voluntary Personal Protective Equipment Usage, WAC 296-62-601 (Effective 12/2/2022 through 4/1/2023)
- Some industries have additional requirements. Search Safety & Health rules for PPE requirement
Reporting and Notifications
- Public Health Emergency Reporting and Notification Requirements for Infectious and Contagious Diseases, WAC 296-62-600 (Effective 12/2/2022 through 4/1/2023)
- Recordkeeping and Reporting - Employers covered by recordkeeping rules are required to record workplace injuries and illnesses (including work-related COVID-19 illnesses) on an OSHA 300 log. Find requirements and resources on the OSHA 300 Log page.
Respirators/Respiratory Protection
- Chapter 296-842, WAC, Respirators
- Make sure voluntary use of respirators is safe. (WAC 296-842-11005)
- Develop and maintain a written program. (WAC 296-842-12005)