Coronavirus (Covid-19) and workers rights: Biden orders OSHA to release new Covid guidance to employers on protecting workers

“President Biden signed an executive order on Thursday directing the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to issue guidance to employers on protecting workers from COVID-19,” Jordan Williams writes over at The Hill. “The executive order on Protecting Worker Health and Safety requires OSHA to release guidance within two weeks to employers on workplace safety during the pandemic and to evaluate whether any emergency temporary standards are needed.The agency has until March 15 to issue emergency standards, which could include mask-wearing in the work place.The order also requires a review of OSHA’s enforcement efforts related to COVID-19 and requires the administration to identify what changes could be made to protect workers. Biden’s order also directs the Labor Department to work with the Energy, Agriculture, Transportation, and Health and Human Services departments to explore ways to protect other classes of workers. It asks the Mine Safety and Health Administration to explore emergency temporary standards on COVID-19 for coal and metal or non-metal mines.” Jordan Williams, “Biden orders OSHA to release new COVID-19 guidance to employers on protecting workers,” TheHill.