APRIL 13, 2020 - In an email to members today, Jay Timmons, President and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers, said the U.S. Department of Labor had responded to the NAM’s concerns and announced Friday that businesses will not have to consider confirmed cases of COVID-19 as recordable incidents for Occupational Safety and Health Administration recordkeeping purposes unless there is objective evidence available to them that the cases are work related. OSHA noted that determining whether a worker contracted COVID-19 while performing work duties is difficult given ongoing community spread. "This announcement provides regulatory certainty to the manufacturing community and helps protect companies from unfounded liability claims while allowing businesses to focus on hygiene and safety procedures at their facilities," said Timmons. "The NAM heard concerns from many members on this issue and worked to provide OSHA with information on why this new guidance was needed for manufacturers that continue to produce essential goods and services." You can find the OSHA enforcement memo here, and you can contact NAM Director of Labor and Employment Drew Schneider with questions. Associated Industries of Missouri is proud to be
the sole designated partner of the NAM in Missouri.