Dear Subscriber,

Many employers are wondering how regulatory agencies such as OSHA and its state counterparts are responding to the COVID-19 crisis. Is enforcement business as usual, or are allowances being made for this unprecedented situation? We have the answers to these questions and more.

Check out our recent articles on OSHA's enforcement strategy, Oregon OSHA's COVID-19 enforcement efforts, the latest on COVID-19 recordkeeping requirements, and Cal/OSHA's most recent guidance. And, as always, you can find all of our COVID-19 coverage and materials in our Infectious Disease Planning resource center or reach out through our Ask-the-Expert feature to get answers to your most pressing safety questions, whether related to COVID-19 or a different issue.

Enforcement—OSHA refocuses COVID-19 enforcement efforts

Health - General—AIHA clarifies misinformation on PPE, ventilation, and disinfection in relation to COVID-19

Health - General—Oregon OSHA ramps up COVID-19 enforcement

Injury and Illness Records (OSHA 300)—OSHA eases COVID-19 recordkeeping requirements

Health - General—OSHA addresses COVID-19 concerns

Enforcement—OSHA enforcement roundup: Spotlight on recent cases

Health - General—Cal/OSHA issues expanded COVID-19 guidance

Respiratory Protection—OSHA allows foreign-certified respirators

Enforcement—OSHA cites employers in New Orleans collapse

On-Demand Webinars

Alcohol & Drugs—Webinar [2020-01]: Opioids and Post-Accident Drug Testing: Legal Considerations, Reasonable Suspicion Training, and OSHA’s Antiretaliation Stance Learn how to legally conduct post-accident drug testing in accordance with applicable federal laws and conduct proper "reasonable suspicion" training.

Safety - General—Webinar [2020-01]: Behavior-Based Safety: Leveraging Human Factors to Drive Strong Safety Performance Learn how to leverage human factors to drive strong safety performance by using safety culture assessments and employee and supervisor training to increase safety empowerment, safety ownership, and safety engagement.

Employee Newsletters—April 2020 Safety Works for Employees—This month's issue includes information on exercise, distracted driving, window safety, and hearing protection.

Q: Have the OSHA requirements pertaining to respirators, masks, and now bandanas changed as a result of of COVID-19? Do all employees have to complete a respirator medical evaluation?

Final Rules

Proposed Rules

State:

04/16/2020—Toxic and Hazardous Substances (Construction)—Michigan—Construction Safety and Health Standard Part 640

04/14/2020—Workers' Compensation—Maryland—Filing and Amending Claims and Fees

04/14/2020—Workers' Compensation—Maryland—Filing and Amending Claims and Fees

04/14/2020—Violence in the Workplace—Nevada—Workplace Violence

04/8/2020—Air Contaminants—California—Protection from Wildfire Smoke

04/7/2020—Air Contaminants—California—Protection from Wildfire Smoke

White Papers

Hazard communication enforcement: An in-depth look—The hazard communication standard (HCS) is the second most frequently cited federal workplace safety and health standard, surpassed only by the construction industry’s fall protection standard. Keep reading for an in-depth look at how OSHA enforces hazard communication compliance and what employers need to do to avoid citations.

Upcoming Webinars