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.
Despite calls from worker advocates, OSHA has to date declined to issue any standard with respect to the coronavirus pandemic.
