COVID-19 and OSHA

Summary

This article discusses the impact of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), on an employer’s maintenance of a safe workplace in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. As employers weigh their measure of response to COVID-19, the employers must recognize that The General Duty Clause of OSHA, 29 U.S.C. § 654(a)(1), requires employers to furnish each worker with “employment and a place of employment, which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm.” With this in mind, employers must be vigilant in ensuring that they keep their employees safe from COVID-19 and also meet related OSHA requirements.