U.S. Department of Labor Issues Alert to Help Keep Retail Pharmacy Workers Safe During the Coronavirus Pandemic
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osha/osha20200514-0
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued an alert listing safety tips employers can follow to help protect retail pharmacy workers from exposure to the coronavirus.
Safety measures for retail pharmacies include:
- Encourage customers to submit prescriptions online or by phone. Allow customers to provide their insurance information verbally or virtually (e.g., through mobile apps or the pharmacy’s website);
- Increase the use of self-serve checkouts to minimize worker interaction with customers;
- Frequently clean and disinfect checkout and customer service counters;
- Install clear plastic barriers between workers and customers at order/pickup counters;
- Use signage and floor markers to keep waiting customers at least 6 feet from the counter, other customers and pharmacy staff; and
- Encourage workers to report any safety and health concerns. It is illegal to retaliate against workers for reporting illnesses or for reporting unsafe or unhealthful working conditions.
The new alert is available for download in English and Spanish.
Visit OSHA’s Publications webpage for other useful workplace safety information.
The alert is the latest effort by OSHA to educate and protect America’s workers and employers during the coronavirus pandemic. OSHA has also published Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19, a document aimed at helping workers and employers learn about ways to protect themselves and their workplaces during the ongoing pandemic.
Visit OSHA’s COVID-19 webpage frequently for updates. For further information about the coronavirus, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to help ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.
This is part of the same government that is going to get us a treatment and/or vaccine for COVID-19 ? Hopefully this year ?Filed under: General Problems
My boyfriend works for Kroger. The giant grocery chain. He is not in pharmacy but he hears and sees things that go on and is friends with some of the pharmacy staff. Before I applied for SSDI I was a manager at this store also. I am still friends with some of the pharmacy employees and see them at least twice a month to pick up my prescriptions. Well before Covid I did anyway. Anyhow, I was talking to one of the techs who was so excited because she spent all weekend making masks for herself and the other pharmacy staff. Come that particular Monday she brought them in to pass out to everyone and she was told they could not wear them because they were not corporate approved masks. Management went on to tell her that she could technically wear the masks she made but if they did, and they were to get sick, their insurance would not cover their treatment and they would have to pay out of pocket. Also, if they came down with Covid wearing those masks they would not get the paid two weeks off that Kroger is offering all their employees regardless of if they have the sick time/vacation/PPO available or not. She said ok, that stinks, but I guess we do what we have to do. She then proceeded to ask for the corporate approved masks. They said well we don’t have them in just yet, but when we do get them in, we’ll let you all know. She said your kidding me? So I can’t wear the only protection I have available because if I get sick I’ll be screwed out of a lot of money and benefits? I thought that was pretty crappy along with this other strange fact. Maybe it’s just strange to me, I don’t know, but I was hoping someone could give me their opinion. So when most states were starting to impose restrictions and we were in the ‘beginning’ of covid as a nation, back in March maybe late February, my boyfriend came home and said he was made to sign a non disclosure form at work today. I said what the hell for? He said we were told we are not allowed to speak to the media under any circumstances regarding our work or anything to do with Smiths (name of store he works for owned by Kroger). I thought non disclosures were for hiding things? I want him to get a copy and bring it home so I can see it. He’s a cashier on the front end also, not a store manager or anything like that. I didn’t like that he was told to sign that. What do you think?
IMO, when a corporation wants employees to sign a non disclosure agreement… they are either protecting corporate secret procedures or they are wanting to prevent “the truth” about how the corporation is functioning… or something that is said my an employee that will end up with BAD PR for the company. In this particular incident, it would appear that they are trying to CYA themselves if an employee gets COVID-19… gets sick and/or dies… because they don’t have approved masks and won’t let employees use what would otherwise be could be seen as a non-approved mask.. I would try to get a copy of that non-disclosure agreement and then I would type up a letter stating what the corporation was doing and leave the agreement and the letter with someone… and if I ended up getting sick – get stuck with a large medical bill or worse yet … died… So that that agreement and employee’s letter could make its way to the media and/or some attorney who could take action against the company for damages done for their lack of providing personal protecting equipment… I would think that if someone got sick.. that workman’s comp should pay for healthcare needed and lost wages during recovery. Was the conversation between the female employee and management one on one ? if so, she had no proof of what was said, management tends to have acute case of “can’t remember” when push comes to shove.