Want Governor Hogan to issue “emergency temporary standard”
Labor unions are calling on Governor Hogan to issue an executive order requiring the state labor department’s occupational safety program to adopt new regulations for businesses in the pandemic. The call is the latest in a nationwide effort by labor unions for an emergency temporary standard.
Thus far, however, the governor has resisted issuing such an order. The governor’s current executive orders have already given local health officials the authority to shut down unsafe facilities. The local health departments are also charged with handling complaints about mask-wearing, social distancing, and occupancy levels while Maryland Occupational Safety and Health investigates complaints about PPE and sanitizing.
In July, Virginia became the first state to adopt workplace safety regulations specific to the coronavirus over the strong objections of NFIB. There a business could be fined up to $130,000 if they violate new mandatory workplace safety rules.
While it is not anticipated Maryland’s labor department will issue new coronavirus workplace standards, the state legislature may take up the issue during their annual legislative session beginning in January.
Please reach out to your Maryland team with any questions or suggestions – State Director, Mike O’Halloran at [email protected] and Grassroots Manager, Sharon Sykes at [email protected].
