My name is Anthony Pistone and I am a member of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). I have served Arlington County in the Water, Sewer, and Streets Division of Environmental Services for 4 years. My primary job responsibility is to operate an asphalt truck as part of a four-person asphalt maintenance (or “pothole”) crew to ensure safety on the roads and that residents don’t experience damage to their vehicles from potholes. Road construction work is often loud and fast paced, making it hard to be constantly conscientious of social distancing while at a work site.  

Since the onset of the pandemic, in the interest of being compliant with the Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS), the county has been furnishing us with source control in the form of face masks. While this does not eliminate the risk of exposure to COVID-19 or other communicable illness, it does serve to curb its spread. Altering the past practice of commuting to job sites in full vehicles so that we drive one to a vehicle worked as well. We should return to that practice. These are necessary changes.  

While the work we do has us out in the community and in close contact with the public, the measures that the county has implemented to comply with the ETS has meant some measure of protection for us. These regulations don't just keep us safe, but our families and communities, as well.  

We need VOSH to make the emergency temporary standards permanent to protect employees against the risk of exposure. The risk presented by COVID-19 is not over and it is of the utmost importance that employers have clear directives as to what steps must be taken to protect employees and the public. 

Strong enforcement mechanisms will mean more compliance. Virginia has shown leadership being first in the nation to enact these temporary emergency standards, and the commonwealth can continue to lead by making the standard permanent.  

As employers have had the last six months to prepare, by complying with temporary requirements under the ETS, I urge you to make the permanent standard and all its provisions effective immediately on January 27, 2021. Anything short of that could lead to a rollback of the conditions we presently need to be safe in our workplaces and could jeopardize not just us, but our families and the communities we serve.