Utah Labor Commission Issues Guidance to Employers to Protect Staff Who Are High Risk for COVID-19

With the Governor’s Executive Order that Utah move from high-risk (red) to moderaterisk (orange) health guidelines outlined in the Utah Leads Together 2.0 plan, it is expected that more employees will be returning to the workplace. This return of the workforce will include individuals at higher-risk of severe illness under the CDC COVID-19 and Utah Department of Health definitions.

To help employers protect high-risk staff from exposure in the workplace and stay healthy, the Utah Labor Commission issued recommendations to reduce the risk of infection. The document includes both general and industry-specific guidance developed with input from occupational safety professionals, WCF Insurance, employers and the Utah Department of Health.

The document includes checklists to assist employers in developing workplace safety precautions to specifically protect high-risk employees. Utah Occupational Safety and Health Division (UOSH) personnel are available to answer questions and provide guidance to employers in implementing these precautions. Information and assistance regarding these issues is available by visiting the Utah Labor Commission website, laborcommission.utah.gov, coronavirus.utah.gov, and by contacting the UOSH Consultation at (801) 530-6855.