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Ver 1.3 August 6 , 2020
GENERAL GUIDANCE ON COVID-19
1 . How can dental practices protect their staff ?
Dental practices should remain calm and assure staff that they are monitoring the CDC and DOH websites . Management should remind staff of the importance of good hygiene , and not to report for work if they are ill .
2 . May employers send employees home if they develop symptoms of COVID- 19 infection ?
Yes . An employer never has to allow a sick employee to remain at work . The CDC states that employees who become ill with symptoms of influenza-like illness at work during a pandemic should leave the workplace .
For more information , see CDC ’ s Interim U . S . Guidance for Risk Assessment and Public Health Management of Health Care Personnel with Potential Exposure in a Health Care Setting to Patients with COVID-19 .
3 . Does OSHA mandate that employers take steps to safeguard employees from COVID-19 exposures ?
OSHA requires employers to provide employees with employment and a place of employment which is free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to such employees . If all appropriate steps are taken to protect an employee , then under OSHA , it would not be reasonable to believe there is risk of danger of death or serious injury such that an employee could refuse work . The key is ensuring training , engineering controls , administrative controls and proper personal protective equipment .
4 . If employees claim COVID-19 infections arose out of work-related contacts , are such claims covered by workers ’ compensation benefits ?
Workers ’ compensation coverage will presumably be available in connection with workplace exposures that lead to infection and COVID-19 disease . Such coverage may provide some protection for employers concerned about potential liability and damages . However , where there is wide-spread community spread of the virus , it may be difficult if not impossible to prove that the exposure that lead to infection occurred at work .
5 . If an employee or patient has been found to have the COVID-19 infection what action should be taken ?
The local Department of Health may contact the Dental Practice and direct proper precautions . Expect that the dental practice will need to close , that some or all of the staff will need to be advised of the possibility of infection . Employees who were in contact with the infected employee or patient will likely need to stay at home for the 14 - day incubation period , and the Dental Practice will likely need to be closed for a period of time to conduct a deep cleaning . The name of the infected employee or patient should not be disclosed to other employees or patients due to numerous state and federal confidentiality and privacy laws .
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