MSHA Response to COVID-19 – MSHA’s response and safety guidance regarding COVID-19. It addresses what mine operators and miners should do during the pandemic and actions the agency is taking, which include authorizing flexibilities regarding annual refresher training, encouraging inspectors to participate in COVID-19 screenings at operations, and limiting the number of inspectors present for routine inspections (if an operator contacts their field/district office).
PCA Letter to MSHA
EPA Information in Response to Coronavirus
EPA Coronavirus Enforcement Discretion Policy – EPA issued a temporary enforcement policy in response to difficulties facilities are facing with routine compliance obligations due to COVID-19. The temporary policy provides enforcement discretion for routine compliance obligations, including monitoring, integrity testing, sampling, laboratory analysis, training, and reporting. EPA will not seek enforcement penalties for these routine violations, provided that facilities identify and document how COVID-19 was the cause of the noncompliance.
EPA Addendum to Temporary Enforcement Policy – EPA announced that the Temporary Enforcement Policy that provided enforcement discretion for routine environmental compliance violations will terminate on August 31, 2020.
PCA Letter to EPA
Department of Homeland Security – CISA Infrastructure Workforce Guidance – The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security has provided periodic guidance to state and local government on which industry/workers are essential during shelters in place and quarantines. In CISA’s March 28th guidance they identified the cement industry and our workers as essential
PCA Letter to DHS Seeking Essential Designation for Cement
Department of Labor Paid and Sick Leave Guidance – In response to the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act, DOL has been updating their guidance as it relates to paid and sick leave.
Department of Transportation - Their main site has descriptions and links to the various actions taken by U.S. DOT and its agencies in response to the pandemic to ensure the safety of our transportation networks to ensuring the flow of essential supplies, food, fuel, and medical equipment. The page will be continually updated as new information and resources are available.
The Federal Motor Carriers Safety Agency (FMCSA) released an expanded national emergency declaration to provide hours of service regulatory relief to truck drivers transporting supplies for emergency relief in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
FMSCA updated guidelines providing more flexibility for drug and alcohol testing requirements. This guidance is in effect through June 30, 2020.
FMCSA grants a three-month waiver from certain regulations applicable to commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate and intrastate commerce.
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) activated an Emergency Relief Docket for COVID-19 and the emergency relief provisions of the FRA rules allowing for expedited review of railroad petitions for relief from certain rule compliance provisions and provided a 60 Day Emergency Waiver for certain requirements of the FRA’s safety regulations.
Treasury Department -The Department of the Treasury provides information related to the Economic Impact Payments (Stimulus Checks) for Americans and the Paycheck Protection Program that provides loans to businesses for keeping employees on payroll. It also contains information on the loan program for the airlines, and consumer protection from COVID-19 related scams.
Small Business Administration - The Small Business Administration (SBA) has several loans to help businesses through the COVID-19 crisis. This webpage provides information on qualifications and the process for applying for these loans. The page also contains information on COVID-19 from a business operations perspective. The webpage lists local SBA offices, which provide help with applying for SBA loans, mentorship, and other guidance.
Internal Revenue Service - The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provides detailed tax guidance on the provisions contained with the CARES Act. These resources are geared toward tax professionals, but it does contain news releases and other statements that provide useful information on COVID-19 related tax measures.
Center for Disease Control (CDC) - An abundance of resources. If an employee or family member feels sick, this is a great place to start. Includes a map of confirmed cases, latest updates, resources on travel, schools & childcare, businesses & employers, and community & faith-based organizations. There is also information on how to protect yourself, what to do if you feel sick, what the symptoms of COVID-19 are, how to prepare your family, and resources for older adults and those with medical conditions.
Businesses and Employers
Individuals
Food and Drug Administration Hand Sanitizer Manufacturing Policy - In response to the limited availability of commercial hand sanitizer products in some areas, FDA has issued temporary guidance allowing entities to prepare alcohol-based hand sanitizers, either for public distribution or for internal use. This temporary guidance establishes specific conditions governing allowable ingredients, manufacturing process, analysis and quality control, product labeling, streamlined registration of manufacturers, and adverse incident monitoring and reporting.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration - On April 8, FMCSA extended its Emergency Declaration through May 15th. This lengthens the period of time where HOS rules are lifted for the transport of supplies needed for the response to COVID-19. As part of this FMCSA expanded the list of products exempt from HOS to include liquified gases used in refrigeration and other cooling. OOIDA has sought to extend this to mixed loads carrying some of the covered items as well as other items. FMCSA’s extended emergency declaration did not include this.
Federal Railroad Administration - On April 10, the FRA issued a Notice of Safety Advisory encouraging railroads, their employees, and constructors to review and follow all applicable guidance related to COVID-19, including the best practices identified in the President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America, the CDC’s COVID-19 guidelines and OSHA’s Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19. The Safety Advisory also recommends that railroads develop and implement procedures and practices consistent with those outlined in best practices.
Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA)
OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 - Developed in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help employers respond in the event of coronavirus in the workplace.
Temporary OSHA Guidance on Respiratory Protection Standard - This guidance provides suggestions and options to help increase the availability of N95 filtering facepiece respirators for healthcare providers.
COVID-19 Webpage - Provides infection prevention information specifically for employers and workers.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Pandemic Preparedness in the Workplace and the Americans with Disabilities Act: This technical assistance document provides information about Titles I and V of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act and pandemic planning in the workplace. It identifies established ADA principles that are relevant to questions frequently asked about workplace pandemic planning.
COVID – Ask the EEOC Webinar. This pre-recorded webinar addresses questions arising under any of the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Laws and the COVID-19 pandemic. The video can be seen on YouTube. A transcript of the webinar is also available.
Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA)
FEMA Website on Federal emergency for COVID-19: Provides resources and guidance on issues related the COVID-19 National Emergency
FEMA's COVID-19 Geospatial Resource Center: FEMA's data hub gives the emergency management community the ability to share authoritative data, maps and apps, as well as enhance situational awareness for all partners responding to COVID-19.