President Joe Biden ordered OSHA to issue new COVID-19 guidance, while considering a national emergency temporary standard that could provide a scorecard for workplace infections.
The directive could lead to standardizing the reporting and tracking of people exposed to the virus in the workplace. A national emergency temporary standard (ETS) would be enforceable by OSHA and give contractors a single checklist for COVID-19 compliance.
To date, COVID-19 workplace practices are governed by a patchwork of state, local, and federal rules. Some states have issued ETS for COVID-19, but there is no single set of rules across industries.
Some contractors say the hodgepodge of rules, with a lack of clarity about which ones apply to which jobsites, has hurt productivity and raised costs.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jul 6, 2020
Guide presents benefits of public-private partnerships
Discusses process from project conception to construction.
Codes and Standards | Jul 1, 2020
COVID-19 public health guidelines may be downplaying building systems solutions
Emphasis on cleaning surfaces overlooks importance of mechanical infrastructure.
Codes and Standards | Jun 30, 2020
WELL building institute steps up health safety rating for hotels and resorts
Certification body forms advisory group of industry leaders and health experts.
Codes and Standards | Jun 30, 2020
7 must reads for the AEC industry today: June 30, 2020
Affordable housing comes to the Bay Area and this is not the end of cities.
Codes and Standards | Jun 29, 2020
Mandated building retrofits are necessary to meet climate crisis
Performance standards could greatly reduce GHG emissions.
Codes and Standards | Jun 29, 2020
New buildings can fall short of designed performance
Similar structures can produce different energy usage results.
Codes and Standards | Jun 25, 2020
Arc offers tools, analytics for safe workplace re-entry
Platform helps sustainability teams to collect data, benchmark progress, measure impact, and improve performance.
Codes and Standards | Jun 24, 2020
New API enables design and construction technology platforms to connect
Construction Specifications Institute offers “digital classification engine.”
Codes and Standards | Jun 23, 2020
State lawmakers encouraging transition to heat pumps for building heating
Policies aim to replace gas heaters with electric units.
Codes and Standards | Jun 22, 2020
Natl. Renewable Energy Labs, Cold Climate Research Ctr. team up on extreme weather research
Focus on renewable power, sustainable transportation, energy efficiency, and energy systems integration.