Logan County Board considers covid policy

 

[January 17, 2022] 

At the Logan County Board Workshop on Thursday, January 13, there was discussion about a covid policy for county employees. The board will consider taking action at Tuesday’s voting session.

The Executive and Personnel Committee would bring forward the motion to approve the covid policy and OSHA mandate as a temporary addendum to the county personnel guidelines. The policy relates to weekly testing and mask wearing for non-vaccinated county employees.

The policy follows some of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s emergency measures for business. The OSHA mandate requires those employed at places with 100 or more employees get vaccinated or submit a negative covid test weekly to enter the workplace. Unvaccinated workers have also been required to wear masks indoors at work.

The mask policy being considered by the county states the following:

Each employee who is not fully vaccinated must wear a face covering when indoors and when occupying a vehicle with another person for work purposes, except:

(1) when an employee is alone in a room with floor to ceiling walls and a closed door.

(2) for a limited time while employee is eating or drinking at the workplace or for identification purposes in compliance with safety and security requirements.

(3) when an employee is wearing a respirator or facemask.

(4) where the Sheriff’s Office determines that the use of face covering is infeasible or creates a greater hazard (e.g., when it is important to see the employee’s mouth for reasons related to their job duties, when the work requires the use of the employee’s uncovered mouth, or when the use of a face covering presents a risk of serious injury or death to the employee.)

Each face covering required to be worn shall fully cover the employee’s nose and mouth; and be replaced when wet, soiled, or damaged.

Employees not required to wear a face covering may voluntarily wear a face covering or facemask unless doing so would create a hazard of serious injury or death, such as interfering with the safe operation of equipment. Instead of a face covering, employees may wear a respirator.

The policy being considered for Covid-19 testing for employees who are NOT fully vaccinated states:

Each employee who reports at least once every seven days to a workplace where other individuals such as coworkers or customers are present:

Must be tested for Covid-19 at least once every seven days; and must provide documentation of the most recent Covid-19 test result to the Sheriff’s Office no later than the seventh day following the date on which the employee last provided a test result.

Each employee who does NOT report during a period of seven or more days to a workplace where other individuals such as coworkers or customers are present:

Must be tested for Covid-19 within seven days prior to returning to the workplace; and must provide documentation of that test result to the Sheriff’s Office upon return to the workplace.
 

Additionally, when employees test positive for Covid-19, they would be expected to notify the Sheriff’s Office and immediately leave the workplace. To return to work, they will be expected to have a negative nucleic acid amplification test, meet return to work requirements in CDC’s isolation or receive a return-to-work recommendation from a licensed healthcare provider

The policy also defines face coverings, facemasks and being fully vaccinated. Those who are vaccinated are to provide proof of vaccination.

There were some questions about the policy.

Board member Jim Wessbecher said he thought this was a policy turned down on Thursday by the Supreme Court.

Board Vice chairman Scott Schaffenacker said he understood what the Supreme Court struck down was a ruling for private businesses. He said they could gather more information and discuss it further before voting on Tuesday.

If approved, the policy would go into effect February 24 through July 24, 2022.

If needed, Schaffenacker said it could be sent back to the executive committee. It would then be brought back for a vote next month.

Because many people have been asking and been curious about a policy, Board Chairman Emily Davenport said she wants to get it over and done with. She would like to see the policy be effective immediately after it is passed.

The policy was reviewed and typed up by Logan County State’s Attorney Brad Hauge and Davenport said he worked hard on it. Davenport said she had requests and questions from various departments about the county’s covid policy. With the way things are going, Davenport feels the county should get something in place sooner rather than later.

[Angela Reiners]