As the agency responsible for enforcing workplace safety, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) has issued two pronouncements concerning COVID-19 and the workplace.

COVID-19 Guidance for the Construction Workforce

On April 21, 2020, OSHA published Guidance for the Construction Workforce which consists of tips to help reduce the risk of exposure to coronavirus in the construction industry. Most of the recommendations are what would be expected and are most likely being carried out by construction companies. Among other things, OSHA recommends that in-person meetings, including toolbox talks and safety meetings, should be as short as possible, with the number of workers in attendance limited and using social distancing practices. OSHA also recommends that employers clean and disinfect portable jobsite toilets regularly and that hand sanitizer dispensers should be filled regularly. If tools and equipment are shared, construction employers should provide and instruct workers to use alcohol-based wipes to clean tools before and after use.  If workers do not have immediate access to soap and water, employers should provide alcohol-based hand rubs containing at least 60% alcohol.

Interim Enforcement Response Plan for Coronavirus 2019

On April 13, 2020, OSHA issued an Interim Enforcement Response Plan (“Interim Enforcement”) which provides instructions and guidance to area offices and safety and health officers for handling COVID-19 related complaints and severe illness reports.  The Interim Enforcement explains that OSHA investigators should use as much flexibility as possible in investigating possible violations and also ensuring that OSHA inspectors are not unduly exposed to coronavirus.

Inspections

The Area Director is to evaluate the risk level of exposure and prioritize resources to determine if an on-site inspection is necessary. When feasible, inspectors should use electronic means of communications, such as remote video surveillance, phone interviews, email and video conferences to investigate possible violations.  The Interim Enforcement also states that investigations and inspections in the healthcare industry have the highest priority.

If there is an inspection, employers should expect that they will be asked to provide a written pandemic plan, infection control plan, protocols for use of personal protective equipment, records of employee infections or exposures, and training records relating to COVID-19.

Recording of Injury/Illness

Employers are responsible for recording cases of COVID-19 if all of the following requirements are met:

    • The case is a confirmed case of COVID-19 as defined by the CDC;
    • The case is work-related; and
    • The case involves one or more of the recording criteria such as medical treatment and days away from work.

Enforcement Discretion

OSHA encourages its inspectors to determine if an employer is making a good faith effort to provide and ensure workers with the most appropriate respiratory and other personal protection equipment. Companies where fatalities and imminent danger exposures related to COVID-19 will be prioritized for inspections, with particular attention given to healthcare organizations and first responders. All other formal complaints alleging COVID-19 exposure, where employees are engaged in medium or lower exposure risk tasks, will not normally result in on-site inspections. Area offices will use non-formal procedures for investigating alleged hazards.

In addition, OSHA is relaxing the requirement that an employer conduct an analysis of whether an employee’s COVID-19 diagnosis is work-related, unless objective evidence exists that a COVID-19 case is work-related.

Conclusion

Thus, employers should expect that OSHA may be focused more on compliance than citations.  The Interim Enforcement gives field offices flexibility and discretion to maximize OSHA’s impact in securing safe workplaces in this evolving environment.