Seyfarth Synopsis: The Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) has issued Interim Guidance to advise
compliance safety and health officers (CSHOs) to evaluate an
employer's good faith efforts to comply with certain safety and
health standards during the coronavirus pandemic
(COVID-19).
We
previously blogged about OSHA's Interim Enforcement Response Plan for
COVID-19 which was intended to provide instructions and guidance to
Area Offices and CSHOs for handling COVID-19-related complaints,
referrals, and severe illness reports.
Now, new Interim Guidance acknowledges that COVID-19 infection
control practices may limit the availability of employees,
consultants, or contractors who would normally provide training,
auditing, equipment inspections, testing, and other essential
safety and industrial hygiene services for employers. The Guidance
also notes that employee participation in safety training may be
precluded by business closures and other
