OSHA Has Launched a COVID-19 National Emphasis Plan
On March 12, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) launched a national emphasis program (NEP) for COVID-19. OSHA establishes NEPs when it identifies a need to focus its resources to address particular hazards and high-hazard industries.
This NEP will remain in effect for one year or until OSHA amends or cancels the program.
COVID-19 NEP
Prior OSHA guidance primarily addressed mitigating and limiting the spread of COVID-19. This NEP prioritizes the use of OSHA resources to eliminate and control workplace exposure to COVID-19.
OSHA’s interim enforcement response provides supplemental information to the NEP, including:
• Implementing the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan;
• Prioritizing COVID-19-related inspections involving death or multiple hospitalizations; and
• Performing on-site (rather than remote) inspections when practical and safe for OSHA compliance officers.
This Compliance Bulletin presents an overview of OSHA’s updated strategy.
This Compliance Bulletin is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact legal counsel for legal advice. Design © 2021 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.
About the Author
Share This Story
Related Blogs
Putting HR Technology to Work: How INSURICA Clients Gain an Edge with OutSail
Payroll errors that hit the general ledger, open-enrollment portals that freeze at midnight, new hires juggling four log-ins on day one - when HR technology falters, the ripple effects reach every corner of the organization. Yet most employers still rely on a patchwork of legacy systems chosen under deadline pressure.
CPR and AED Training for School Staff: A Life-Saving Back-to-School Priority
As students return to campus, it’s important for school administrators to assess more than just academics and operations. One critical area that deserves attention is CPR and AED training for school staff. Ensuring your employees are prepared to respond to cardiac emergencies can save lives—and now is the perfect time to make it a priority.
Mental Health Parity Requirements are Still in Full Force—Even as New Federal Rules are Temporarily on Hold
In May 2025, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury announced a temporary pause in enforcement of the 2024 final rule under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), following a legal challenge brought by an employer coalition. This enforcement pause gives the agencies time to reexamine certain provisions and consider future revisions through the regulatory process.