On April 10th, OSHA released updated guidance regarding compliance with recordkeeping standards and related requirements during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Unlike influenza, contraction of COVID-19 may be recordable and reportable under OSHA’s recordkeeping requirements set forth in 29 CFR § 1904. However, OSHA’s April 10 guidance, Enforcement Guidance for Recording Cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), states that OSHA will not enforce 29 CFR § 1904 for recording or reporting alleged work-related cases of COVID-19, effective immediately and until further notice, except when:

• There is objective evidence that a COVID-19 case is work related, such as a cluster of cases developing among workers in close proximity and no other alternative explanation to the outbreak exists; and
• The employer has readily available evidence confirming a COVID-19 case, such as information provided by an employee or information obtained by the employer during daily operations.

These exemptions do not apply to employers in health industries, emergency response organizations, or correctional institutions. These employers are required to continue making work-relatedness determinations pursuant to OSHA’s standards.

OSHA intends for this enforcement guidance to allow employers to focus response efforts on implementing good hygiene in the workplace.

Employers operating in state plans must confirm with their respective administrator whether the jurisdiction is enforcing federal guidance or more restrictive requirements.