OSHA has launched a
national emphasis program to protect high-risk workers from COVID-19 hazards. The program also prioritizes for OSHA inspection employers that retaliate against workers who complain about unsafe conditions.
According to OSHA Deputy Assistant Secretary Jim Frederick, “This deadly pandemic has taken a staggering toll on U.S. workers and their families. We have a moral obligation to do what we can to protect workers, especially for the many who have no other protection. This program seeks to substantially reduce or eliminate coronavirus exposure for workers in companies where risks are high, and to protect workers who raise concerns that their employer is failing to protect them from the risks of exposure.”
On March 12, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) launched a
National Emphasis Program (NEP) that signaled a new enforcement agenda, targeting establishments in industries that have an increased potential for employee exposure to the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) disease, including healthcare institutions. NEPs are temporary programs that focus OSHA’s resources on particular hazards and designated high-hazard industries. This NEP advises that OSHA will use targeted inspections, outreach, and compliance assistance to identify and reduce or eliminate COVID-19 exposures in the workplace.
The COVID-19 NEP also includes an added emphasis on OSHA anti-retaliation provisions. OSHA will distribute anti-retaliation information during inspections and outreach opportunities, and will promptly refer allegations of retaliation to its Whistleblower Protection Program.
President Biden issued an executive order aimed at increasing COVID-19 workplace safety measures at the federal level , with OSHA announcing the launch of a national emphasis program.
To print this article, all you need is to be registered or login on Mondaq.com.
In what is likely the final predicate for issuing a COVID-19
emergency temporary standard (ETS), on March 12, 2021, the U.S.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a new
National Emphasis Program (NEP) targeting specific high-hazard industries or activities
in which there is a hazard of contracting SARS-CoV-2 (severe
acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), the cause of
COVID-19. The NEP also includes an added focus to
ensure that workers are protected from retaliation. The NEP
is effective immediately and will remain in force no longer than a
Seyfarth Synopsis: On March 12, 2021, OSHA published its COVID-19 National Emphasis Program – Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), DIR 2021-01(CPL-03) (3-12-21). The Directive lays-out .