OSHA Initiates Special COVID-19 Emphasis Enforcement Program

On March 12, OSHA announced plans to initiate a National Emphasis Program (NEP) to protect essential workers in critical industries, such as healthcare and manufacturing, from contracting COVID-19 by ensuring work environments are implementing related safety protocols.  The new directive identifies manufacturing, including wood products, as the second priority group following healthcare.  This follows OSHA’s updated COVID-19 guidance for employers issued in January.  In the coming weeks, OSHA is expected to issue an emergency temporary workplace safety standard for COVID-19, which would be a complement to the NEP.  See OSHA Directive and OSHA January COVID Guidance