OSHA Updates COVID-19 Enforcement Guidance
OSHA last week released revised guidance concerning workplace safety compliance during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
The revised guidance for area offices and compliance officers sets a framework for how OSHA will enforce workplace safety regulations in two types of geographic areas: Those were community spread of COVID-19 has significantly decreased and those experiencing elevated community transmission or a resurgence in cases.
In areas where community transmission has significantly decreased OSHA will return to business-as-usual for the most part. Officers will rely on the pre-COVID inspection planning policy in these areas. OSHA will continue to prioritize COVID-19 cases in these areas, however.
OSHA will take a different approach in areas where community transmission is sustained or experiencing a resurgence. In these areas, OSHA will prioritize COVID-19 fatalities and imminent danger exposures for inspection. Particular attention will be focused on high-risk workplaces like hospitals and healthcare providers treating COVID-19 patients.
The updated enforcement guidance includes a number of exhibits for OSHA officers, including examples of how to cite the General Duty Clause of the OSH Act in coronavirus-related cases.
OSHA also released updated enforcement guidance specific to recording workplace cases of COVID-19. OSHA makes it clear that they will enforce the recordkeeping requirements for workplace illnesses and injuries for all employers. The guidance includes a discussion of how employers can determine the “work-relatedness” of a novel coronavirus case.
OSHA will rescind its previous COVID-19 enforcement memo on Tuesday, May 26, 2020.
Read more about OSHA's COVID-19 enforcement efforts.
For links to more coronavirus-related OSHA guidance for employers, see our Coronavirus EHS News Hub.
Convenient, Online OSHA Safety Training
Industry professionals worldwide are turning to online training to keep operations on track and protect employees. Lion’s online OSHA courses can help ensure your workers know their responsibilities, even when your team is spread out across multiple locations.
Lion’s most popular OSHA courses:
Respiratory Protection (in English or Spanish)
Personal Protective Equipment
10-Hour OSHA General Industry
Introduction to Industrial Hygiene
Health and Safety Management
The revised guidance for area offices and compliance officers sets a framework for how OSHA will enforce workplace safety regulations in two types of geographic areas: Those were community spread of COVID-19 has significantly decreased and those experiencing elevated community transmission or a resurgence in cases.
In areas where community transmission has significantly decreased OSHA will return to business-as-usual for the most part. Officers will rely on the pre-COVID inspection planning policy in these areas. OSHA will continue to prioritize COVID-19 cases in these areas, however.
OSHA will take a different approach in areas where community transmission is sustained or experiencing a resurgence. In these areas, OSHA will prioritize COVID-19 fatalities and imminent danger exposures for inspection. Particular attention will be focused on high-risk workplaces like hospitals and healthcare providers treating COVID-19 patients.
The updated enforcement guidance includes a number of exhibits for OSHA officers, including examples of how to cite the General Duty Clause of the OSH Act in coronavirus-related cases.
OSHA also released updated enforcement guidance specific to recording workplace cases of COVID-19. OSHA makes it clear that they will enforce the recordkeeping requirements for workplace illnesses and injuries for all employers. The guidance includes a discussion of how employers can determine the “work-relatedness” of a novel coronavirus case.
OSHA will rescind its previous COVID-19 enforcement memo on Tuesday, May 26, 2020.
Read more about OSHA's COVID-19 enforcement efforts.
For links to more coronavirus-related OSHA guidance for employers, see our Coronavirus EHS News Hub.
Convenient, Online OSHA Safety Training.xml?width=320&height=213)
Industry professionals worldwide are turning to online training to keep operations on track and protect employees. Lion’s online OSHA courses can help ensure your workers know their responsibilities, even when your team is spread out across multiple locations.Lion’s most popular OSHA courses:
Respiratory Protection (in English or Spanish)
Personal Protective Equipment
10-Hour OSHA General Industry
Introduction to Industrial Hygiene
Health and Safety Management
Tags: coronavirus, covid19, osha, reporting and recordkeeping, workplace safety
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