On February 24, AGC called on the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to follow the traditional federal regulatory processes that allow for all industries—including construction—to better inform any new regulations the agency seeks to put forth concerning COVID-19 based on a thorough review of science, experience and practical industry-specific approaches. As it stands, a recent executive order effectively instructs OSHA to issue an emergency temporary standard (ETS) on COVID-19 by March 15 and then issue a permanent standard within six months. AGC is concerned that the rush to issue an ETS and permanent standard could negatively impact the safety and health procedures that the construction industry has implemented since the beginning of the pandemic with great success.
For more information, please contact Kevin Cannon, Senior Director, Safety & Health Services at kevin.cannon@agc.org.