OSHA Rolls Out Enforcement Initiative While Facing COVID-19 Standard Deadline

March 12 the DOL’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) launched a national emphasis program (NEP) focusing enforcement efforts on companies that put the largest number of workers at serious risk of contracting COVID-19. General Warehousing and Storage (NAICS 493110) is among the list of primary target industries for the NEP.

This action comes in response to President Biden’s January 21 executive order on protecting worker health and safety. The program will prioritize enforcement of employers that retaliate against workers for complaints about unsafe or unhealthy conditions, or for exercising other rights protected by federal law.

Also stemming from the January 21 executive order, OSHA was directed to determine by March 15 whether to issue a COVID-19 emergency temporary standard (ETS) for workplace safety. It is unclear how OSHA interprets meeting this deadline, and the agency may seek to delay the publication of a standard.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees.

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