Solutions that mitigate risk
Find Covid-19 response solutions that allow you to get back to work productively, responsibly, and safely.
OSHA’s 3 Lines Of Defense
Intended to be a baseline standard for steps you can take to help keep your employees safe, OSHA's 3 Lines Of Defense can assist you in your effort to reopen, protect your employees, and navigate these challenging times. Start at the top for the most effective solutions (engineering controls) and then work your way down to ancillary steps (administrative and work practice controls & PPE).
Engineering controls
At the top of the pyramid are engineering controls. OSHA defines engineering controls as physical changes to the workplace that can eliminate or reduce the hazard. These are the first, and most powerful, lines of defense. Engineering controls are favored over administrative controls and personal protective equipment (PPE) for managing exposure in the workplace because they are designed to remove the hazard at the source, before it comes in contact with and jeopardizes the safety of workers.
Administrative and work practice controls
Administrative and work practice controls reduce the risk of a hazard, but are less effective than engineering controls. They still mitigate risks and should be used alongside an engineering controls program, or when engineering controls aren’t feasible.
Personal protective equipment
At the bottom of the pyramid is PPE, which includes protective gear like gloves, masks, ear plugs, and respirators. Personal protective equipment is the last line of defense for each individual worker, and critical when hazards cannot be eliminated.
additional resources:
Article | 7 minutes
Face Masks, Unmasked
Learn the difference in protection levels each type of mask offers and compare each to better select which mask is right for you.
Downloadable, Printable Signs | 1 minute
OSHA Covid 19 Signs
Find signs in 12 different languages detailing steps you can take to decrease the risk of exposure to coronavirus at your workplace.
Articles | varying, up to 8 minutes
OSHA Covid Downloads
Your source for the latest OSHA guidance and downloads on everything from pandemic preparedness to disinfecting workspaces.