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638 Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
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Risk Levels and Respiatory Protection

Risk Levels

Worker risk of occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, during an outbreak may vary from very high to high, medium, or lower (caution) risk.

The level of risk depends in part on:

  • the occupations with each industry type;
  • the frequency of contact within 6 feet of people at work known to be, or suspected of being, infected with SARS-CoV-2; and
  • the requirement for repeated or extended contact with persons at work known to be, or suspected of being, infected with SARS-CoV-2

To help employers determine appropriate precautions, OSHA has divided job tasks into four risk exposure levels: very high, high, medium, and lower risk. The Occupational Risk Pyramid shows the four exposure risk levels in the shape of a pyramid to represent probable distribution of risk. Most American workers will likely fall in the lower exposure risk (caution) or medium exposure risk levels.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

3-1. Most American workers will likely fall in the ___ OSHA exposure risk levels.