OSHA now requires employers to record cases of the coronavirus in specific circumstances, though certain companies may not need to report instances depending on the number of employees.
The owner of RSR Home Construction in New Jersey was found to have lied about instructions given to workers that resulted in injuries related to roofing work.
OSHA is recommending construction industry employers allow workers to wear masks, practice social distancing and keep sick employees at home to prevent exposure to COVID-19.
OSHA will take into account the "good faith attempts" of employers to comply with regulations when determining whether to cite a violation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A roofing contractor in Columbus, Ohio faces $236,642 in penalties for two willful, two repeat and four serious safety violations that occurred last fall.
OSHA's response plan outlines procedures for addressing reports of workplace hazards related to the coronavirus. Fatalities and imminent danger exposures related to the coronavirus will be prioritized for on-site inspections.
Employers cannot take actions like terminations, demotions, denials of overtime or promotion, or reductions in pay or hours if an employee reports unsafe work conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To combat the shortage of disposable N95 filtering face masks, OSHA is asking employers to reassess their practices to to find any changes they can make to reduce the use of N95 masks.
Like many other upcoming events and gatherings, OSHA has postponed its National Stand Down to Prevent Falls campaign scheduled for May 4-8 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
