Protocols apply to both private and public sector organizations

Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 192, which mandates workplace health and safety standards during the COVID-19 pandemic. The executive order, which goes into effect on November 5th at 6am, will require all New Jersey employers in both the private and public sector (including non-profits and governmental/educational entities) to follow all health and safety protocols outlined in the executive order.

These protocols include:

• Ensure that individuals at the worksite maintain at least six feet of distance from others to the maximum extent possible;
• Conduct daily health checks, such as temperature screenings, visual symptom checking, self-assessment checklists, and/or health questionnaires, prior to each shift, consistent with CDC guidance;
• Ensure that employees and visitors wear masks when entering the worksite, except when an employee is at their workstation at least six feet from others or is alone in a walled space such as an office;
  • Employers must provide face masks to their employees
  • Employers may be authorized to prevent individuals who refuse to wear a mask from entering the worksite, where such actions are consistent with state and federal law
• Provide approved sanitization materials to employees and visitors at no cost to those individuals
• Ensure that employees practice hand hygiene and provide sufficient break time for that purpose
• Routinely clean and disinfect all high-touch areas in accordance with DOH and CDC guidelines
• Exclude sick employees from the workplace and follow requirements of applicable leave law; and
• Promptly notify employees of any known exposure to COVID-19 at the worksite.

The executive order directs the NJ Department of Labor (NJDOL) to provide compliance and safety training for employers and employees. The department will provide materials to inform workers of their rights and businesses of their obligations. The NJDOL will also coordinate with workforce training partners to create and provide training.

Additionally, the NJDOL will support the Department of Health’s efforts to address worker complaints. This will include establishing an intake form on the NJDOL website to receive complaints and developing an investigation and inspection protocol to review complaints.

Please contact us if you have any questions, concerns, or need advisement during this unprecedented time.