---
title: OSHA Updated Interim Enforcement Response Plan for COVID-19
description: OSHA Updated Interim Enforcement Response Plan for COVID-19
---

[HR Informant ](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-articles)

# [OSHA Updated Interim Enforcement Response Plan for COVID-19](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-articles/osha-updated-interim-enforcement-response-plan-for-covid-19)

 Written by [ThinkHR](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-articles/author/thinkhr) | Tue, Mar 23, 2021

On March 12, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released an [Updated Interim Enforcement Response Plan for COVID-19](https://www.osha.gov/memos/2021-03-12/updated-interim-enforcement-response-plan-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19) which provides new instructions and guidance about how it will handle COVID-19-related complaints, referrals, and severe illness reports, summarized as follows:

- OSHA will continue to implement the Department of Labor’s (DOL) [COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan](https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/general/plans/2021-covid-19-workplace-safety-plan.pdf?_ga=2.117144707.465591995.1613991658-519538799.1605795692) to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission to OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs) during inspections.
- Pursuant to the March 12, 2021 [National Emphasis Program (NEP) for COVID-19](https://www.osha.gov/enforcement/directives/dir-2021-01cpl-03), OSHA will prioritize COVID-19-related inspections involving deaths or multiple hospitalizations because of occupational exposures to COVID-19. The NEP also protects against worker retaliation.
- OSHA will perform the following types of workplace inspections, generally on-site: 
    - OSHA identifies exposures to COVID-19 hazards, ensures that appropriate control measures are implemented, and addresses violations of OSHA standards and its General Duty Clause.
    - OSHA will sometimes use phone and video conferencing, instead of face-to-face employee interviews, to reduce potential exposures to CSHOs. In-person interviews will be conducted when necessary and safe.
    - OSHA will minimize in-person meetings with employers and encourage employers to provide documents and other data electronically to CSHOs.
    - Area Directors (AD) will ensure that CSHOs are prepared and equipped with the appropriate precautions and personal protective equipment (PPE) when performing on-site inspections related to COVID-19 and throughout the pandemic.
    - All inspections will generally be done so that COVID-19-related citations, and their abatement, are done quickly.
- If on-site inspections cannot safely be performed (for example, if the only available CSHO has reported a medical contraindication), the AD will approve remote-only inspections that may be conducted safely.

This plan revokes the administration’s [May 19, 2020 plan](https://www.osha.gov/memos/2020-05-19/updated-interim-enforcement-response-plan-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19), remains in effect until further notice, and is intended to be time-limited to the current COVID-19 public health crisis. [OSHA’s webpage](https://www.osha.gov/coronavirus) will have updates about this plan and more.

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