OSHA Outlines Interim Enforcement Response Plan
The US Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced an interim enforcement response plan for the coronavirus pandemic. The response plan contains interim procedures OSHA has established to allow flexibility and discretion for its field offices to maximize OSHA’s impact in securing safe workplaces in this evolving environment.
The plan “outlines commonsense procedures for investigating complaints related to the coronavirus, while also ensuring the safety of workers, employers, and inspectors,” Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Loren Sweatt said.
OSHA officials will prioritize for inspection workplaces where fatalities and imminent danger exposures related to the coronavirus have been reported. Workers requesting inspections, complaining of coronavirus exposure, or reporting illnesses may be protected under one or more whistleblower statutes and will be informed of their protections from retaliation.
OSHA said the response plan is in effect until further notice. Check the OSHA COVID-19 webpage frequently for updates.