FSIS Appendix to the USDA COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan

FSIS employees should follow the USDA COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan with the exception of the items below.

I. Protective Equipment

a. All FSIS employees, contractors, and visitors are required to wear face masksin FSIS facilities, offices, and vehicles at all times.

i. FSIS will provide face masksto all employees, contractors, and visitors.

ii. Face masks can be ordered from the USDA Service Center. (USDA | DM | OO | Materiel Management Service Center)

b. Until accommodation requests have been processed, unvaccinated employees should follow the guidance below. Once an employee’s 

accommodation request has been finalized, the employee should follow the guidance in the accommodation requestif different.

c. Face Shields

i. Unvaccinated OFO employees are required to wear face shields in addition to face masks when they are on the slaughter or processing 

floor or otherwise engaged in inspection duties.

ii. Unvaccinated OIEA employees are required to wear face shields in addition to face masks when in an in-commerce facility or regulated 

establishment and unable to maintain physical distancing.

iii. Unvaccinated OPHS employees are required to wear face shields in addition to face masks when they are in laboratories and unable to 

maintain physicaldistancing.

iv. Face shields can be ordered from the USDA Service Center. (USDA | DM | OO | Materiel Management Service Center)

d. Travel Guidance

i. FSIS employees who do any TDY travel, should follow CDC guidance related to COVID-19 testing and quarantine.

ii. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html

iii. Waivers

1. A standing waiver applies to all unvaccinated OFO employees who receive travel assignments to provide inspection with 

insufficient time to get a test prior to departure.

2. A standing waiver applies to all unvaccinated OIEA investigators assigned to perform illness traceback activities, take product 

control actions, or assist with unforeseen investigative needs involving immediate food safety concerns with insufficient time to 

get a test prior to departure.

3. A waiver does not exempt employees from testing.

a. Employees should get tested at the temporary duty station if time allows.

b. Employees should get tested after they return.

iv. FSIS employees are authorized to use Administrative Leave, up to four hours, for each test.

v. FSIS employees should notify their supervisor of test results.

II. Occupancy, workplace operations, and physical distancing

a. To meet operational requirements, exceptions to the USDA plan occupancy limits are required for mission critical work performed by FSIS 

employees in frontline positions where capacity limits and physical distancing are not always possible.

b. Exceptions

i. FSIS regulated establishments
1. FSIS employees are assigned to approximately 6,500 industry owned establishments.

2. FSIS employees are not eligible to telework in these positions, as they are required to perform on-site inspection for industry to 

operate.

ii. FSIS laboratories

1. FSIS operates the laboratories that analyze samples collected at FSIS regulated facilities.

2. Whenever possible:

a. Schedules should be staggered to minimize the number of FSIS employees at any one time.

b. Laboratory equipment should be distributed within the facility to reduce the number of staff in a particular laboratory 

space at one time.

III. Testing & Screening

a. FSIS employees assigned to an establishment that has a COVID-19 screening program are expected to comply with the establishment’s screening 

protocols.

b. FSIS employees assigned to an establishment that requires COVID-19 testing are required to get tested.

c. FSIS employees who do any TDY travel, should follow CDC guidance related to COVID-19 testing and quarantine.