In response to the January 21, 2021 Executive Order on Protecting Worker Health and Safety, OSHA has issued a COVID-19 National Emphasis Program (NEP) to ensure that employees in high hazard industries or work tasks are protected from COVID-19 hazards. The program also prioritizes employers that retaliate against workers for complaints about unsafe or unhealthy conditions, or for exercising other rights protected by federal law. NEP inspections will enhance the agency’s previous coronavirus enforcement efforts.

In a related action, OSHA has also updated its Interim Enforcement Response Plan to prioritize the use of on-site workplace inspections where practical, or a combination of on-site and remote methods. OSHA will only use remote-only inspections if the agency determines that on-site inspections cannot be performed safely. On March 18, 2021, OSHA will rescind the May 26, 2020, memorandum on this topic and this new guidance will go into and remain in effect until further notice.

Please see the OSHA news release for more information.

OSHA is requesting nominations for membership on its National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH). Nominations for NACOSH must be submitted (postmarked, sent, transmitted, or received) by May 10, 2021.

For more information, please see the Federal Register Notice.

This new NIOSH Science Blog post talks about how occupational safety and health professionals can help small construction firms build safety into their worksites, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To read the post, click HERE.

ANSI/ASSP Z359.1-2020, the Fall Protection Code, is a comprehensive guide to developing an effective fall protection program. It is a free resource that aims to help employers purchase the right fall protection equipment for their employees and understand which standards apply to specific work situations. The latest edition includes updates to six standards, and a new standard on safety requirements for climbing ladder fall arrest systems.

Click HERE to learn more.

The Regional Hispanic Contractors Association is offering FREE Fall Protection Classes. They are one-day two-hour courses being held virtually for 2021, and are available in English and Spanish. Upon completion of the course each student will receive a certificate of completion of the OSHA Susan Harwood Training Grant – Fall Protection.

Registration is required. Please RSVP by emailing julio@regionalhca.org or calling (972) 786-0909.

For more information, including the 2021 class schedule, click HERE or visit www.regionalhca.org/safety.