The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced Nov. 17 it has "suspended implementation and enforcement" of its COVID-19 emergency temporary standard issued earlier this month for employers of 100+ workers, including those in construction. following a Nov. 12 action by the U.S. appellate court in New Orleans affirming its earlier stay of the rule.
The agency said while it "remains confident in its authority to protect workers in emergencies," it took the action "pending future developments in the litigation." In a Nov. 18 joint statement, 60 medical associations urged employers to voluntarily implement the requirements, citing them as "reasonable and essential."