Table 2.

OSHA COVID-19 guidance, with corresponding survey items and animal processing and slaughtering industry worker responses (N=69), North Carolina, 2021–2022.

	OSHA guidance26	Survey item	n (%)
Engineering controls	“Barriers should block face-to-face pathways”*	Physical barriers at/between workstations	24 (35%)
Administrative controls	“Barriers do not replace the need for physical distancing – at least six feet of separation”	Able to maintain 6+ feet distance majority of time at work	50 (74%)
	“Instruct any workers who are infection, unvaccinated workers who have had close contact with someone who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, and all workers with COVID-19 symptoms to stay home”	Could isolate if SARS-CoV-2+	59 (92%)
		Could quarantine if COVID-19 exposed	59 (92%)
	“Eliminate or revise policies that encourage workers to come to work sick”	Changes in sick leave or bonus program policies	13 (19%)
Personal protective equipment (PPE)	“Provide workers with face coverings or surgical masks”	Employer ever provides face masks (any)   Employer provides N95/KN95/resp.   Employer provides surgical masks   Employer provides cloth masks	65 (94%) 12 (17%) 46 (67%) 22 (32%)
		Face masks required (any)	62 (90%)

Note:

^*Evidence physical barriers are ineffective in reducing COVID-19 spread.^46,47

We based survey items based on OSHA guidance²⁶ and CDC’s Example COVID-19 Prioritization Questions for Non-Healthcare Worksite Assessments,⁴⁸ which included physical barriers as a COVID-19 protection measure. We did not differentiate between NIOSH-approved respirators and others (e.g., KN95) that may not have passed NIOSH quality assurance and performance requirements. 1 participant was missing information on ability to distance and 5 on ability to isolate/quarantine.