Prepare for OSHA COVID-19 Inspections
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued COVID-19 guidance for industries that have an increased potential of employee exposure to the coronavirus. A new standard is also working its way through the approval process and may be published soon.
The agency has drafted regulations for an Emergency Temporary Standard, or ETS, (currently under review at the White House Office of Management and Budget) and a directive for a National Emphasis Program (NEP). The NEP will use targeted inspections, outreach and compliance assistance to identify and reduce exposure to the coronavirus in the workplace. OSHA expects to make 1,600 NEP inspections—at least 5 percent of each of its regions' total assigned inspection goal.
One of the biggest challenges for companies under the forthcoming ETS is the requirement to implement or maintain standards to protect worker safety as the number of cases continue to drop and restrictions ease across most regions, said Richard Cerenzio.
He is senior technical director of corporate health, safety, environment and sustainability at ISN, an information and technology services company in Dallas.