Biden will ask OSHA to reconsider decision to skip emergency coronavirus standards

President-elect Joe Biden will ask the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) to reconsider its refusal to issue emergency standards for COVID-19 workplace safety, according to a Dec. 29 statement. He also said he would direct OSHA to target the worst violators, increase the number of inspectors and develop strategies for addressing the most dangerous workplace hazards. OSHA can, under certain circumstances, issue emergency temporary standards that take effect immediately and remain in effect until it issues a permanent standard, according to the agency. The follow-up standard is “subject to the usual procedure for adopting a permanent standard except that a final ruling should be made within six months,” OSHA said on its website; additionally, temporary standards may be challenged in court. Read more