Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

OSHA Interim Enforcement Response Plan

Description:

OSHA has updated its Interim Enforcement Response Plan to prioritize the use of on-site workplace inspections where practical, or a combination of on-site and remote methods. OSHA will only use remote-only inspections if the agency determines that on-site inspections cannot be performed safely. On March 18, 2021, OSHA will rescind the May 26, 2020, memorandum on this topic and this new guidance will go into and remain in effect until further notice.

Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Date: 03/12/21

OSHA COVID-19 National Emphasis Program (NEP)

Description:

In response to the January 21, 2021 Executive Order on Protecting Worker Health and Safety, OSHA has issued a COVID-19 National Emphasis Program (NEP) to ensure that employees in high hazard industries or work tasks are protected from COVID-19 hazards. The program also prioritizes employers that retaliate against workers for complaints about unsafe or unhealthy conditions, or for exercising other rights protected by federal law. NEP inspections will enhance the agency’s previous coronavirus enforcement efforts.

Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Date: 03/12/21

COVID-19 Guidance on Ventilation in the Workplace

Description:

OSHA has released new guidance on work with a HVAC professional to ensure that building ventilation is operating as intended to keep workers healthy. Guidance includes ensuring all HVAC systems are fully functional, preventing personal fans from blowing air from one worker to another and upgrade filters to MERV 13 if possible, among others.

Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Date: 03/12/21

U.S. Department of Labor Frequently Asked Questions to Address Cloth Face Coverings as Personal Protective Equipment

Description:

In this FAQ about cloth face coverings, updated November 18, 2020, OSHA says it believes there is currently not enough information available to determine if a particular covering provides sufficient protection from the coronavirus hazard to be personal protective equipment under its standard.

Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Date: 12/04/20

OSHA - COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions

Description:

This online resource includes OSHA's responses to frequently asked questions by topic related to COVID-19. It is updated periodically.

Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Date: 10/30/20

Temporary Enforcement Guidance - Tight-Fitting Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) Used During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic

Description:

This memorandum provides temporary enforcement guidance to Compliance Safety and Health Officers for enforcing initial and annual fit-testing requirements of the Respiraotry Protection Standard, CFR 29 1910.34. It applies to tight-fitting PAPRs approved by NIOSH when used for protection against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, bby healthcare personnel or any other workers in high or very high exposure risk activities, because of supply shortages of both disposable N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) and fit-testing supplies due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Date: 10/05/20

Understanding Compliance with OSHA's Respiratory Protection Standard During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic

Description:

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on the availability of respirators and fit-testing supplies. This document is intended to help employers understand and comply with OSHA's temporary enforcement guidance for the Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134). 

Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Date: 09/25/20

COVID-19 Guidance on the Use of Cloth Face Coverings while Working Indoors in Hot and Humid Conditions

Description:

Best practices employers should follow to protect against the spread of COVID-19 and the risk of heat-related illness.

Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Date: 09/19/20

COVID-19 Guidance on the Use of Cloth Face Coverings while Working Outdoors in Hot and Humid Conditions

Description:

Best practices employers should follow to protect against the spread of COVID-19 and the risk of heat-related illness. 

Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Date: 09/19/20

Workers' Right to Refuse Dangerous Work

Description:

Details what conditions need to be met in order for a worker's right to refuse a task to be protected. 

Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Date: 08/11/20

Procedures for Filing a Safety and Health Complaint with OSHA

Description:

How to file a safety and health complaint with OSHA. 

Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Date: 08/11/20

OSHA Standard 1910.1200 - Hazard Communication

Description:

OSHA's hazard communication standard. 

Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Date: 08/11/20

OSHA - Revised Enforcement Guidance for Recording Cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-2019)

Description:

This memorandum provides updated interim guidance to Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs) for enforcing the requirements of 29 CFR Part 1904 with respect to the recording of occupational illnesses, specifically cases of COVID-19. 

Under OSHA's recordkeeping requirements, COVID-19 is a recordable illness, and thus employers are responsible for recording cases of COVID-19, if:

  1. The case is a confirmed case of COVID-19, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC);
  2. The case is work-related as defined by 29 CFR § 1904.5; and
  3. The case involves one or more of the general recording criteria set forth in 29 CFR § 1904.7.

Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Date: 08/28/20

Key OSHA standards for COVID-19

Description:

This OSHA online resource provide ready access to OSHA standards that apply to SARS-COV-2, including workers' rights and employers' responsibilities.

Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Date: 06/26/20

COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions: Cloth Face Coverings

Description:

Responses to frequently asked questions about the use of cloth face coverings during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Date: 08/28/20

OSHA Guidance on Returning to Work

Description:

Advisory recommendations intended to assist employers in providing a safe and healthful workplace. 

Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Date: 08/28/20

OSHA - Putting on and Taking off a Mask Correctly (video)

Description:

This video shows employers and workers how to properly wear and remove a respirator. Also available in Spanish.

Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Date: 06/07/20

OSHA: COVID-19 Control and Prevention - Construction Work

Description:

This OSHA guidance supplements its general, interim guidance for all workers with potential occupational exposure to SARS-Co-V-2. It is for construction employers and workers, such as those engaged in carpentry, ironworking, plumbing, electrical, heating/ ventilation/air conditioning/ventilation, masonry and concrete work, utility construction work, and earthmoving activities. 

Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Date: 03/12/21

Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19

Description:

Contains recommendations as well as descriptions of mandatory safety and health standards. The recommendations are advisory in nature, informational in content, and are intended to assist employers in providing a safe and healthful workplace. 

Also available in Spanish: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3992.pdf

Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Date: 05/13/20

Ten Steps All Workplaces Can Take to Reduce Risk of Exposure to Coronavirus

Description:

Poster highlights 10 infection prevention measures every employer should implement to protect workers’ safety and health during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Now available in 13 languages.

Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Date: 08/28/20

COVID-19 Guidance for the Construction Workforce

Description:

Tips to help reduce the risk of exposure to the coronavirus while working in the construction industry. Part of a series of industry-specific alerts designed to keep workers safe. 

Also available in Spanish at https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA4001.pdf

Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Date: 08/28/20

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