Thread by @drdavidmichaels

No more mask mandates or density requirements in stores and other businesses in Texas and other states?

Not so fast.

@OSHA_DOL, which I ran for 7+ years, may get in the way. 1/

https://twitter.com/TexasTribune/status/1366879463376629764

@OSHA_DOL will issue a mandatory standard later this month that will likely conflict with actions by @GovAbbott and some other governors to end virus exposure prevention efforts in businesses.

Allow me to explain 2/

When #OSHA issues a COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard later this month, employers will be required to protect their workers.

OSHA will likely require employers to conduct hazard assessments & make plans to protect workers from virus exhaled by co-workers or customers. 3/

Risk of exposure is increased by proximity to & density of infectious persons. It is decreased by distance, masks, ventilation, filtration & PPE.

Generally, worker protection plans that ignore masks & density will not adequately protect the safety of workers (or the public). 4/

In developing and implementing #OSHA-required plans, it will be very difficult for businesses to justify ignoring @CDCgov and @OSHA_DOL guidance on worker and public protection measures. 5/

Businesses that care about their employees and customers should welcome the #OSHA standard since they can maintain mask and density requirements that protect workers, explaining that federal law requires them. 6/

The #OSHA requirements will level the playing field – all businesses will have to follow the same rules, and those that want to do the right thing won’t be inconvenienced (or worse) by anti-mask customers. 7/

The #OSHA requirements will also reassure the many unvaccinated workers who are hesitant to return to unsafe workplaces, fearful of getting infected.

The result: the OSHA requirements will help slow this pandemic & keep workers and the public healthy. 8/

The biggest impact will be on retail establishments. No matter what @GovAbbott says, if @Walmart, @Target, @WinnDixie or other stores do not require masks on all customers and workers, they risk an #OSHA fine. @NRFnews 9/

So my advice to retailers and other businesses: don’t throw away the “Masks Must Be Worn” signs. They are saving lives now, they will save more lives tomorrow.

And you are going to need them when the #OSHA standard is issued. 10/10