OSHA reinstates normal reporting and investigation standards for COVID

On May 19, 2020, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) reversed an earlier enforcement policy for recording cases of COVID. As Lake Effect reported in April, OSHA had announced that it would not enforce its record-keeping requirements on employers to make COVID “work-relatedness” determinations, except when (1) there was objective evidence that an employee’s exposure to COVID-19 was work-related and (2) that evidence was reasonably available to the employer. At that time, OSHA noted that it may be difficult for employers to determine if an employee with COVID-19 contracted COVID-19 at work. Yesterday, OSHA revised that policy.

OSHA will now increase in-person worksite inspections and enforce COVID record-keeping requirements for all employers. Acknowledging the difficulty in determining where an employee may have contracted COVID, OSHA reminded employers that a case of COVID in the workplace is a recordable illness. Employers must record cases of COVID if all of the following are true:

  • An employee has a confirmed case of COVID-19;
  • The employee’s case of COVID is considered to be work-related*; and
  • The illness involves one or more of the recording criteria, including medical treatment beyond first aid or days away from work.

*Note that an illness is considered to be work-related “if an event or exposure in the work environment either caused or contributed to the resulting condition or significantly aggravated a pre-existing injury or illness. Work-relatedness is presumed for injuries and illnesses resulting from events or exposures occurring in the work environment” unless an exception applies.

Keep in mind that employers with 10 or fewer employees or in certain low hazard industries are exempt from OSHA reporting requirements unless the injury or illness results in hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye.

The legal and HR team at Lake Effect is closely monitoring the impact of COVID-19 on the workplace and will continue to provide our clients with updates as they are available. Please visit our COVID-19 resource page for all of our pandemic-related legal updates and HR best practices. The attorneys and HR professionals at Lake Effect HR & Law are ready and willing to help. Contact us at info@le-hrlaw.com or 1-844-333-5253.

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