Among President Biden’s recent executive orders

Picture1-e1611330502295

Among the executive orders signed during his first two days in office, President Joe Biden directed OSHA and MSHA consider emergency temporary standards related to COVID-19, among other steps. The order stated that the appropriate executive agencies should issue, within two weeks, revised guidance to employers on workplace safety during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The executive order also states that OSHA is to consider whether any emergency temporary standards on COVID-19 are necessary. If OSHA deems that an emergency standard is necessary, they are to be issued by March 15th, 2021.

A national program is also being instituted under the executive order aimed at increasing OSHA enforcement efforts related to COVID-19 on violations that put the largest number of workers at serious risk or are contrary to anti-retaliation principles. Earlier this month, OSHA penalties increased for the 2021 FY, with Serious violations topping $13,653 and Willful violations rising to $136,532.

Under the order, a multi-lingual outreach campaign is also being built. The goal of this campaign is to inform workers and their representatives of their rights under applicable law. This campaign includes engagement with labor unions, community organizations, and industries, and places a special emphasis on communities hit hardest by the pandemic.

The EO also directs OSHA to coordinate with State Plan states to protect workers not covered by the federal agencies and to consult with state/local governments and/or public sector unions on how best to protect workers in the public sector.

Finally, the order calls on the departments of Agriculture, Transportation, and Health and Human Services, among others, to protect workers not covered under OSHA or MSHA.

Purchase NASP’s Certified Safety Manager Course

Related Posts

What we learned from 300 safety professionals on psychological health and safety

What we learned from 300 safety professionals on psychological health and safety

07.16.2025 Psychological Health and Safety
Last week, nearly 300 safety professionals from across North America joined a NASP webinar on psychological health and safety (PHS).…
Read More
A Shifting Landscape: Analyzing OSHA’s Proposed Changes to Respirator Medical Evaluations

A Shifting Landscape: Analyzing OSHA’s Proposed Changes to Respirator Medical Evaluations

07.11.2025 Compliance
A significant change may be on the horizon for how we manage respiratory protection programs. The Occupational Safety and Health…
Read More
Strengthening Communication and Trust to Protect Bilingual Construction Workers

Strengthening Communication and Trust to Protect Bilingual Construction Workers

07.11.2025 Safety Culture
Language and cultural barriers continue to pose serious challenges to workplace safety in the U.S. construction industry, where Hispanic workers…
Read More
cta1-img

See our available Live and online cOURSES