In accordance with the January 21, 2021 executive order, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) launched a National Emphasis Program (NEP) to enhance OSHA enforcement efforts related to COVID-19. The NEP was launched March 12, 2021 and focuses on protecting workers at serious risk and cases of retaliation related to COVID-19 hazards.The NEP augments OSHA’s enforcement efforts related to COVID-19 resulting from complaints, referrals, and severe illness reports, by adding a component to target specific high-hazard industries or activities where this hazard is prevalent. The NEP alsofocuses on preventing retaliation by distributing anti-retaliation information during inspections and outreach opportunities, and promptly referring allegations of retaliation to the Whistleblower Protection Program.According to the NEP, the highest priority will be given to unprogrammed activity (e.g., severe incident reports, complaints/referrals) inspections. Follow-up inspections should be conducted for establishments that were previously inspected and cited asa result of a COVID-19-related fatality. Area Offices may schedule follow-up inspections to meet the goals of this NEP where unprogrammed activities have decreased enough to allow them to do so. Programmed inspections should be conducted, in areas whereboth unprogrammed and follow-up COVID-19-related inspections do not enable offices to meet the goals of the NEP.
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