As we previously reported, on January 21, 2021, President Biden issued an executive order aimed at increasing COVID-19 workplace safety measures at the federal level. In response to President Biden’s directive, OSHA announced on March 12, 2021 the launch of a national emphasis program (“NEP”) to focus its enforcement efforts on employers that put the largest number of workers at “serious risk” of contracting COVID-19. Additionally, OSHA updated its Interim Enforcement Response Plan for COVID-19 to prioritize on-site inspections where practical. Below is a brief summary of what employers need to know about these initiatives.

NEP Workplace Inspections

OSHA generally conducts two types of inspections: programmed and unprogrammed. Programmed inspections are conducted to verify that randomly-selected employers, who have been scheduled for inspection based upon objective selection criteria set by OSHA, are in compliance with OSHA rules and regulations. Unprogrammed inspections are conducted in response to alleged hazardous working conditions at a specific worksite.

The NEP includes a programmed inspection initiative that aims to increase workplace safety in industries where employees have a high risk of COVID-19 exposure, such as grocery stores, warehouses, restaurants, manufacturing, and public transportation. Employers should review the NEP’s lists of targeted industries, found in Appendices A and B, to see if their business may be targeted for inspection. Employers should be aware though that establishments not included on the NEP’s selection lists may also be targeted for inspection if OSHA believes an inspection is warranted based on information provided to the agency. Of note, the NEP will prioritize unprogrammed inspections related to COVID-19 fatality events, followed by allegations of potential or confirmed employee exposure to COVID-19.

Inspections will be conducted either on-site or through a combination of on-site and remote inspection methods. Follow-up inspections may also be conducted to determine if previously-identified COVID-19 hazards have been corrected or to confirm the accuracy of abatement information that the employer provided.

While OSHA does not typically initiate inspections under an NEP until after the expiration of a 90-day outreach period, OSHA has taken the position that this 90-day period has already expired because of OSHA’s prior guidance throughout the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, employers should be aware that OSHA anticipates beginning inspections within the next two weeks. The NEP will remain in effect for up to one year, unless OSHA amends or cancels the program.

NEP Whistleblower Protections

The NEP also places an enhanced focus on ensuring that workers who share information about unsafe or unhealthful conditions related to COVID-19 are protected from employer retaliation. In that regard, the NEP directs Area Offices to promptly refer retaliation complaints to OSHA’s Regional Whistleblower Protection Program for investigation.

Update to Interim Enforcement Response Plan

OSHA also announced that it has updated its Interim Enforcement Response Plan to prioritize the use of on-site workplace inspections, where practical. OSHA may also use a combination of on-site and remote methods of inspection, but it intends to rely on remote-only inspections only in instances where it is determined that an on-site inspection cannot be performed safely. This new guidance will go into effect on March 18, 2021, and it will remain in effect until further notice.

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Photo of Lexie Reynolds Lexie Reynolds

Lexie Reynolds is an associate in the Labor & Employment Law Department, and a member of the Employment Law Counseling & Training, Employment Litigation & Arbitration, and the Discriminatory, Harassment, and Title VII Practice Groups. Lexie’s practice covers a wide range of matters…

Lexie Reynolds is an associate in the Labor & Employment Law Department, and a member of the Employment Law Counseling & Training, Employment Litigation & Arbitration, and the Discriminatory, Harassment, and Title VII Practice Groups. Lexie’s practice covers a wide range of matters with a focus on internal corporate and government investigations. She has represented private and public companies, boards of directors and their committees, and individuals across many different industries including entertainment, financial services, and technology.

Lexie has advised and assisted clients in a variety of internal investigations as well as government enforcement actions involving the DOL, DOJ, and SEC. She has litigated matters at the administrative, state, and federal level, including a federal court trial. She has experience in matters involving Title VII discrimination, fraud, whistleblower activity, and retaliation.

Lexie is also dedicated to pro bono work and has represented individuals at the state administrative, federal court, and appellate levels including matters involving discrimination, veteran benefits, and immigration. Additionally, she has volunteered her time each year to mentor middle school students in a mock trial program aimed at developing public speaking, self-confidence, and awareness of legal rights.

While in law school, Lexie litigated criminal matters, representing juvenile and adult individuals in state court. Additionally, she interned at the Boston Juvenile Court and the Massachusetts Office of the Child Advocate.

Photo of Julia Hollreiser Julia Hollreiser

Julia Hollreiser is an associate in the Labor & Employment Department and a member of the Employment Litigation & Arbitration Group.

Julia represents employers in a wide range of employment-related disputes, including defending clients against claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful discharge, and…

Julia Hollreiser is an associate in the Labor & Employment Department and a member of the Employment Litigation & Arbitration Group.

Julia represents employers in a wide range of employment-related disputes, including defending clients against claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful discharge, and wage and hour law violations.  She has experience assisting in single-plaintiff, multi-plaintiff, and class and collective action litigations, in federal and state courts as well as before administrative agencies.  Julia represents clients across a variety of industries including sports, financial services, media and entertainment, higher education, and law firms. Julia also counsels clients on a broad range of employment issues, including investigations into sensitive employment matters, employee terminations and discipline, and employment policies and procedures.

Julia earned her J.D., summa cum laude, from Cornell Law School, where she was a member of the Order of the Coif and graduated first in her class. Julia was also the Managing Editor of the Cornell Law Review and a member of the Moot Court Board. While at Cornell, Julia worked as a student attorney in several clinical programs, representing clients in immigration matters and in employment discrimination matters before the New York State Division of Human Rights. While in law school, Julia was a judicial intern for the Honorable Ronnie Abrams in the Southern District of New York.