NY Forward Safety Plan Required For All Businesses

Each business or entity must develop a written Safety Plan outlining how its workplace will prevent the spread of COVID-19.

This plan does not need to be submitted to a state agency for approval but must be retained on the premises of the business and must made available to the New York State Department of Health (DOH) or local health or safety authorities in the event of an inspection.

A template with the following information can be found HERE.

Physical Distancing

Ensure 6 ft. distance between personnel, unless safety or core function of the work activity requires a shorter distance. Any time personnel are less than 6 ft. apart from one another, they must wear acceptable face coverings.
Tightly confined spaces will be occupied by only one individual at a time, unless all occupants are wearing face coverings. If occupied by more than one person, occupancy must remain under 50% of maximum capacity.
Post social distancing markers using tape or signs that denote 6 ft. of spacing in commonly used areas on the site.
Limit in-person gatherings as much as possible and use tele- or video-conferencing whenever possible. Essential in-person gatherings (e.g. meetings) should be held in open, well-ventilated spaces with appropriate social distancing among participants.
Establish designated areas for pick-ups and deliveries, limiting contact to the extent possible.

Places

Protective Equipment:

Employers must provide employees with an acceptable face covering at no-cost to the employee and have an adequate supply of coverings in case of replacement.
Face coverings must be cleaned or replaced after use or when damaged or soiled, may not be shared, and should be properly stored or discarded.
Limit the sharing of objects and discourage touching of shared surfaces. When in contact with shared objects or frequently touched areas, wear gloves or sanitize/wash hands before and after contact.

Hygiene and Cleaning:

Adhere to hygiene and sanitation requirements from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Department of Health (DOH) and maintain cleaning logs on site that document date, time, and scope of cleaning.
Provide and maintain hand hygiene stations for personnel, including handwashing with soap, water, and paper towels, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Conduct regular cleaning and disinfection at least after every shift, daily, or more frequently as needed. Other areas such as shared objects and surfaces, high transit areas, restrooms and common areas, must be sanitized as well.

Communication

Post signage throughout the site to remind personnel to adhere to proper hygiene, social distancing rules, and cleaning and disinfecting protocols.
Establish a communication plan for employees, visitors, and customers with a consistent means to provide updated information.
Maintain a continuous log of every person, including workers and visitors, who may have close contact with other individuals at the work site or area.
If a worker tests positive for COVID-19, employer must immediately notify state and local health departments and cooperate with contact tracing efforts, including notification of potential contacts, such as workers or visitors who had close contact with the individual, while maintaining confidentiality required by state and federal law and regulations.

Process

Screening:

Implement mandatory health screening assessment (e.g. questionnaire, temperature check) before employees begin work each day and for essential visitors, asking about:
- COVID-19 symptoms in past 14 days
- Positive COVID-19 test in past 14 days
- Close contact with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 case in past 14 days.
Assessment responses must be reviewed every day and such review must be documented.

Contact tracing and disinfection of contaminated areas: