OSHA Issues Interim Enforcement Response Plan for COVID-19

Miller & Martin PLLC Alerts | April 14, 2020

On April 13, 2020, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued an Interim Enforcement Response Plan (“Plan”) for COVID-19. The purpose of the Plan is to provide guidance to Area Offices and compliance safety and health officers (CSHOs) for handling of COVID-19 related complaints, referrals and severe illness reports. As cited in the Plan, OSHA will investigate complaints, referrals, and employer-reported fatalities and hospitalizations to identify potentially hazardous occupational exposures and to ensure that employers take prompt actions to mitigate hazards and to protect employees. The plan makes it clear that OSHA and its CSHOs intend to continue to enforce any applicable workplace standards. Among the Plan requirements are specified time periods within which any work-related incidents are to be reported once an employer is aware of the work-related event.

This guidance is useful for employers as they seek additional information to ensure the safety and welfare of their employees during this pandemic. Review the specific terms of the OSHA Interim Enforcement Response Plan for COVID-19 here (click to open).

Contact an attorney with Miller & Martin's Workplace Environmental, Health and Safety/OSHA practice group to discuss your specific questions.

For more information about the ongoing developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit Miller & Martin's Coronavirus Resources.