On March 12, 2021, OSHA released a much-anticipated response to protect workers from COVID-19 as directed by President Biden’s Executive Order on protecting worker health and safety. A COVID-19 National Emphasis Program (NEP) has been developed, focusing on companies with the largest percentage of workers exposed to serious risk, in addition to prioritizing employers that retaliate against workers who file complaints or exercise their rights as protected by federal law and regulations.

The new NEP, while highlighting many General Industry examples and exposures, provides guidance in inspection procedures that will be initiated immediately as of the effective date with targeted inspections beginning two weeks later. Construction is listed in the secondary targeted industries for this COVID-19 NEP under “Appendix B, Table 1 – Supplemental Industries for Non-Healthcare in Essential Infrastructure” of the document. View the program directive by clicking here.