Available Now: 2023 Schedule of Hazmat & RCRA Training
Search

OSHA Updates COVID-19 Enforcement Guidance

Posted on 5/26/2020 by Roger Marks

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 TrainingOnline 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
 

Tags: coronavirus, covid19, osha, reporting and recordkeeping, workplace safety

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

I was able to present my scenario to the instructor and worked thru the regulations together. In the past, I attended another training firm's classes. Now, I have no intention of leaving Lion!

Diana Joyner

Senior Environmental Engineer

Very well structured, comprehensive, and comparable to live training seminars I've participated in previously. I will recommend the online course to other colleagues with training requirement needs.

Neil Luciano

EHS Manager

Having the tutorial buttons for additional information was extremely beneficial.

Sharon Ziemek

EHS Manager

Excellent. I learned more in two days with Lion than at a 5-day program I took with another provider.

Francisco Gallardo

HES Technician

I attended training from another provider and learned absolutely nothing. Lion is much better. Hands down.

Nicole Eby

Environmental Specialist

Lion is at the top of the industry in compliance training. Course content and structure are updated frequently to make annual re-training enjoyable. I like that Lion has experts that I can contact for 1 year after the training.

Caroline Froning

Plant Chemist

The workshop covered a lot of information without being too overwhelming. Lion is much better, more comprehensive than other training providers.

George Alva

Manufacturing Manager

Lion's information is very thorough and accurate. Presenter was very good.

Melissa Little

Regulatory Manager

Very witty instructor, made the long times sitting bearable. One of the few training courses I can say I actually enjoyed.

John Hutchinson

Senior EHS Engineer

These are the best commercial course references I have seen (10+ years). Great job!

Ed Grzybowski

EHS & Facility Engineer

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Ace hazmat inspections. Protect personnel. Defend against civil and criminal penalties. How? See the self-audit "best practices" for hazardous materials shippers.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.