b'Legally SpeakingISOLATE, INVESTIGATE, DECONTAMINATE: who could potentially have been exposed to the virus. THE THREE EMPLOYER MUST-DOs, EVENTheEmployershouldimmediatelyreportanyknown AMIDST CONSTANT GUIDELINE CHANGESemployeeorcustomerinfectionstothelocalhealth department.Thelocalhealthdepartmentwilloffer by Bob Dunlevey and Nadia A. Lampton of Taft/Lawguidanceanddirectiononanyandallneedstoquarantine based on the exposure type and length for Many Ohioans have stoppedeach impacted person. trackingalloftheguideline and policy changes associat- Decontaminate ed with COVID-19. We have grownaccustomedtotheAfter the Employer isolates the infected individ-uncertainty.Nogatheringsual and investigates to determine the identity of other overtenpeople,unlesstheindividualsandworkplacelocationsimpactedbythe gatheringisapeacefulexposure, it needs to professionally deep cleaned and protest. Always wear a mask, except for when it is notsanitize the worksite locations impacted by the infected required. Maintain social distancing at all times, exceptemployee.Thisdecontaminationeffortisaboveand whenitisunreasonabletodoso.Quarantinewhenbeyond the daily cleaning and sanitizing that should be you travel to Texas and Florida, but not New York oroccurring throughout the workplace and workday.Michigan.Quarantineifyouhaddirectcontactwith someonewhotestedpositiveforCOVID-19,unlessIn summary, the rules related to workplace shut you are not required to quarantine. downs, quarantining, and other return to work guide-linescontinuetochange,whichcreatescompliance Therulesandtheguidelinesseemtobechallenges foremployers.However,evenamidstthe constantly changing.This has led to many employerschanging guidelines, Employers should be prepared to questioningexactlywhattheyaresupposedtodoimmediatelyimplementtheabovethreestepsupon whenfacedwiththeinevitableanemployeetestslearning of a positive case of COVID-19 in the work-positive for COVID-19.Although the guidelines fromplace. After isolating, investigating, and decontaminat-CDCandtheOhioDepartmentofHealthseemtoing,Employersshouldconsultlegalcounseltochangefrequently,therearethreeactionsalldeterminewhat,ifany,additionalstepsarerequired employers must immediately implement upon learningbasedonthecurrentlocal,state,andfederalguide-of a positive case in the workplace.lines.IsolateWhiletheaboveguidancewillassistemployersin dealingwiththesecomplicatedissues,pleasebeImmediately upon learning of a positive case ofreminded that this is an overview of developing legal COVID-19 in the workplace, or a direct exposure, theissuesandisnotintendedtobeandshouldnotbe Employer should immediately isolate the individual.Inconstrued as legal advice. alllikelihood,anemployeewhounderwenttesting would be quarantining while awaiting test results; how- For more specific information, contact Bob Dunlevey, ever, if the Employer finds itself in the situation whereBoardCertifiedSpecialistinLaborandEmployment anemployeelearnswhileatworkofapositivetestLaw,at(937)641-1743orNadiaA.Lamptonatresult or that he or she was directly exposed to some- (937) 641-2055. one who tested positive, then the Employer needs to immediatelyisolatethatemployeeandsendhim/her hometoquarantine.Likewise,ifanemployerlearns thatacustomer,vendor,orotherinviteetestedpositive,theEmployershouldisolateanyemployee who came in contact with the infected individual. InvestigateAftertheemployeehasbeenisolatedaway fromotheremployees,theEmployershouldinvesti-gatetoidentifypotentiallyexposedindividualsandlocationswithintheworkplacewheretheinfectedemployeeorinviteetraversedorworked.Ultimately, the Employer wants to identify all places and peoplePage 18CONSTRUCTION JOURNAL'