The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021! New Guidelines by OSHA to Ensure Employers Have a Safety Process for COVID-19!
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Date
May 13, 2021 -
Time
13:00 PM EST -
Duration
90 Min
Overview:
On March 12, 2021, the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) launched a National
Emphasis Program (NEP) that signaled a new enforcement agenda, targeting
establishments in industries that have an increased potential for employee
exposure to the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) disease, including healthcare
institutions. NEPs are temporary
programs that focus OSHA’s resources on particular hazard.
Employers should
particularly take heed of the increased funding to OSHA for enforcement
actions, which could indicate a potential increase in the number of audits and
inspections, as well as additional scrutiny of whistleblower claims. The ARP
also extends voluntary COVID-related paid leave benefits, so eligible employers
need to consider whether they will continue to offer these benefits on a
voluntary basis.
Finally, employers
should note that the ARP extends unemployment benefits, provides for COBRA
subsidies, and delivers a new round of direct payments to Americans. Absent
from the final law are a hike in the minimum wage, a paid leave mandate and the
elimination of the tip credit, which were part of the original bill.
Why Should You Attend:
The National Emphasis
Program (NEP) provides a formalized structure for OSHA to implement
inspections, including unprogrammed, programmed, and follow-up inspections, in
workplaces where employees have a high frequency of potential COVID-19
exposures. Since the start of the
pandemic, OSHA has handled most enforcement work remotely, without in-person
inspections. Under the NEP, more
inspections will involve on-site visits.
All employers,
particularly those in what OSHA considers to be high-risk industries, should be
prepared for the heightened OSHA enforcement activity related to COVID-19
exposures to avoid fines, penalties, and criminal sanctions.
The federal
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has adopted an Updated
Interim Enforcement Response Plan for Coronavirus Disease (ERP). Now, as states
begin reopening their economies, the revised ERP will “ensure employers are
taking action to protect their employees.”
Session Highlight:
· What was the previous
goal of OSHA regarding COVID-19 enforcement in the workplace
· How does the new OSHA focus impact Employers when it comes to COVID-19 vaccine programs
· What is the NEP and how does that impact how Employers mitigate COVID-19 safety in the workplace
· What industries are impacted by the New Enforcement Guidance
· How does the Whistleblower Protection impacted by the new guidance
· Learn how Employers should ensure safety in the workplace based on the new guidance
· What are the enforcement penalties that need to be addressed
· What other workplace inspections need to be addressed
· Is there a different recording process in the new guidance
· How does the new guidance compare to the OSHA Workplace Guidance for COVID-19
Benefits For Attending:
This training will provide OSHA’s new enforcement agenda to implement inspections in workplaces where employees have a high risk of potential COVID-19 exposures and how to prepare yourself for the heightened OSHA enforcement activity to avoid fines, penalties, and criminal sanctions. In addition, each training I offer free customized compliance tools for all attendees. Also get:
· SHRM Recertification
PDU Credits
· Free customized compliance tools in the form of guides, templates, policies, and toolkits
· Additional HR Compliance Supplemental Slides
· Free answer to all questions even after the training ends
Who Should Attend:
· All Employers
· Business Owners
· Company Leadership
· Compliance professionals
· Payroll Administrators
· HR Professionals
· Compliance Professionals
· Managers/Supervisors
· Employers in all industries
· Small Business Owner
· Large Business Owner
Margie Faulk is a senior level human resources professional with over 15 years of HR management and compliance experience. A current Compliance Advisor for HR Compliance Solutions, LLC, Margie, has worked as an HR Compliance advisor for major corporations and small businesses in the small, large, private, public, Non-profit sectors and International compliance. Margie has provided small to large businesses with risk management strategies that protect companies and reduces potential workplace fines and penalties from violation of employment regulations. Margie is bilingual (Spanish) fluent and Bi-cultural.
Margie’s area of expertise includes Criminal Background Screening Policies and auditing, I-9 document correction and storage compliance, Immigration compliance, employee handbook development, policy development, sexual harassment investigations/certified training, SOX regulations, payroll compliance, compliance consulting, monitoring US-based federal, state and local regulations, employee relations issues, internal investigations, HR management, compliance consulting, internal/external audits, and performance management.
Margie holds professional human resources certification (PHR) from the HR Certification Institution (HRCI) and SHRM-CP certification from the Society for Human Resources Management. Margie is a member of the Society of Corporate Compliance & Ethics (SCCE).
1.5 SHRM-CP Credits