Question: In light of some professional organizations' recommendations to suspend certain types of testing required under OSHA standards, what should employers do to remain in compliance?

Answer:

Some industry-specific professional organizations have recommended suspending certain types of testing while there is ongoing community spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. For example, the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine recently recommended that occupational pulmonary function tests be suspended because of concerns about spreading droplets containing SARS-CoV-2 during spirometry testing. Additionally, the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation recommended that audiometric evaluations be suspended indefinitely.

OSHA is providing temporary enforcement discretion around the requirements of certain standards, including where OSHA standards require initial or recurring training, audits, reviews, testing, or assessments. More information is available in the COVID-19 enforcement guidance, provided on the Enforcement Memos page. Employers should regularly check the Standards page of OSHA's COVID-19 Safety and Health Topics page for updates on the status of these memoranda.