As we previously reported, last week President Biden directed the Secretary of Labor to issue revised guidance to employers on workplace safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to that directive, OSHA issued what the DOL described as “stronger” worker safety guidance to advise employers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
OSHA’s newest guidance, titled “Protecting Workers: Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace”, is also only advisory. The guidance imposes no new legal obligations on employers, though it outlines existing mandatory safety and health standards. The DOL’s news release announcing the new guidance, as well as the guidance itself, also reminds employers of their responsibility under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to provide employees with a safe and healthful workplace. Below we highlight the key guidelines for employers.
