Weekly COVID-19 Update: Manufacturers Prepare for Possible COVID-19 Regulations and ICC Helps Launch New Pandemic Task Force

The ANSI Federation and standardization community are stepping up with guidance, resources, and initiatives to support public health, safety, and infrastructure during the COVID-19 outbreak. Suggestions for news items may be submitted to [email protected]. All submissions are published at ANSI's discretion.

ICC and National Environmental Health Association Launch Pandemics Task Force to Help Prepare Buildings and Communities for Disease-Related Threats

The International Code Council (ICC) in December announced that it has partnered with the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) to establish a new task force that will analyze all aspects of the built environment to find solutions that reduce the risks posed by pandemics. The group will complete a comprehensive review of current code requirements, existing guides, executive orders, regulations, white papers, reports and standards, related to design, preparedness, and health considerations for building construction, operation and pandemics. Additionally, the task force will identify best practices and guides to address the design and layout of new and existing buildings and establish a comprehensive package of public information materials.

“The coronavirus pandemic has underscored that safe buildings are essential to maintaining public health,” said Code Council chief executive officer Dominic Sims, CBO. “A community’s ability to defend against such disasters as pandemics depends on the safety of the homes, buildings and infrastructure that serve its citizens. We are extremely proud to collaborate with NEHA on this pandemic task force.”

To access more information on the new task force, visit www.iccsafe.org/pandemics-task-force.

NAM Preparing Manufacturers for a Possible Emergency Temporary Standard

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) has announced that it is preparing manufacturers for a possible Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) that could be issued at the outset of the Biden administration. The ETS is a set of mandatory rules and regulations for employers, issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Department of Labor, intended to protect the health and safety of workers.

According to NAM, there is no concrete to-date about the text of an ETS, however, possible new requirements for manufacturers might include:

• written plans for stopping the spread of COVID-19;
• a comprehensive assessment of COVID-19 hazards throughout the workplace and a clear plan for diminishing or eliminating those hazards;
• expanded definitions of terms like “positive COVID-19 case,” “high-risk exposure period,” and “physical distancing;”
• requirements that employees are tested for COVID-19 in some scenarios and paid for the time spent taking tests;
• increased recordkeeping and reporting on safety procedures; and
• additional requirements for employees to receive paid leave and testing.

“Manufacturers are playing a critical role in fighting this pandemic, even as they go above and beyond to support the health and safety of their employees,” said NAM director of labor and employment policy Drew Schneider.

“The NAM will never stop working to ensure manufacturers have the tools and support they need to take on that challenge. And we will make sure that the incoming administration, the Labor Department and OSHA have the best possible information about how their actions impact the manufacturing industry and the nation.”

Access NAM's press statement on its website.