OSHA unveils COVID-19 national emphasis program

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration this month launched a national emphasis program focused on stopping the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.

OSHA says the purpose of the NEP is to protect workers in high-hazard roles from contracting the virus. It prioritizes using the agency’s resources to eliminate and control workplace spread of COVID-19.

The agency will use on-site workplace inspections to enforce compliance with the protection program. Still, OSHA will at times use remote inspections during instances where they think an on-site visit isn’t safe. OSHA says it will focus its enforcement on employers that are not making good faith efforts to protect their workers, and the NEP encourages employees to raise concerns when they feel their employer is failing to protect them from COVID-19.

Employers are encouraged to visit OSHA’s COVID-19 website for insight into how to comply with workplace safety requirements.

The national emphasis program will be in effect for one year until March 12, 2022.