OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard for COVID-19 Coming Soon?

As we reported earlier this month, OSHA has updated its guidance for employers to fight COVID-19 at the workplace. This week, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) reported that OSHA representatives continue to say they are in the process of determining whether to issue a COVID-19 emergency temporary standard (ETS) by March 15, as authorized by President Joe Biden’s Jan. 21 executive action.

Meanwhile, the OMA has learned through its Connection Partner Safex that the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) believes an ETS is likely to be issued soon to provide “specific, enforceable guidance.” In this update, the AIHA says that any forthcoming ETS is “likely to pull heavily from existing CDC and OSHA guidance, and related standards and documents in California, Massachusetts, Michigan, Oregon, and Virginia, among others.” Be sure to see OSHA’s updated FAQs related to COVID-19. 2/17/2021