Earlier this month Social Security invited officials from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to tour four different field offices so these officials can provide feedback to Social Security regarding COVID-19 safety measures. Below is the announcement of these visits.
On March 3, 2021, SSA invited members of the COVID-19 Technical Assistance Unit from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to visit four field offices to give SSA feedback on the implementation of our COVID-19 safety measures in accordance with CDC recommendations.
Slowly but surely it seems that Social Security might be taking steps to implement safety plans if and when Social Security offices open more services to the public through in-person visits. There have been no announcements of when this might happen, but it seems like any increased openings of Social Security offices will likely be a few months down the road. Now that there are three approved COVID-19 vaccines available and millions of more Americans are being vaccinated each day things are moving in the right direction. It will be interesting to see if Social Security will mandate that its employees be vaccinated, especially because of their frequent exposure to the public. There are legal questions as to whether an employer can mandate any employee to be vaccinated, but it is important that all Social Security employees get vaccinated to protect their health as well as the health of the public.
In response to these visits, the health committee for the National Council of SSA Field Operations Locals American Federation of Government Employees, the union that represents Social Security employees, listed the specific concerns it had to be addressed to keep Social Security employees healthy. Below are the concerns of the committee.
The concerns of the C#220 Health & Safety Committee would be:
- Proper and accurate screening of employees AND visitors to the office.
- Insuring hand sanitizer, gloves, masks and other PPE for all employees.
- Allowing employees to wear gloves while dealing with the public (prior refusals).
- Insuring that ONLY Dire Need appointments are utilized and reducing the number of visitors to a minimum.
- Continue the Telework option for all employees.
- Consider “at-risk”- “aged” and parents with small children as a last resort when returning employees back to the office.
- Immediately inform others in the office who may have been in contact if ANYONE has tested positive or been in close contact with someone who is COVID-19 positive!
It was clear that NIOSH was objectively assessing our facilities, and will be making recommendations for the safety of all. They did not pander to Mgt. as they asked pertinent questions and had clear directives, in my opinion. As always, the Council #220 Health & Safety Committee is committed to insuring that you (and your workspace) remain as safe and free from hazards as humanly possible.
