Do businesses need post-COVID workplace rules? OSHA says no. The AFL-CIO says yes.

Dozens of salon owners and beauticians rallied outside California State Capitol demanding that Governor Newsom relax closures allowing them to return to work (Photo: Jason Doiy/ALM)

With most states in the nation either opening up completely or region by region, questions have arisen about workplace safety requirements in the wake of COVID-19. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration believes new rules aren’t needed. The AFL-CIO thinks differently.

Politico reports the AFL-CIO asked the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., to force OSHA to issue mandatory workplace safety rules. “It’s truly a sad day in America when working people must sue the organization tasked with protecting our health and safety,” said AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. “But we’ve been left no choice. Millions are infected and nearly 90,000 have died, so it’s beyond urgent that action is taken to protect workers who risk our lives daily to respond to this public health emergency. If the Trump administration refuses to act, we must compel them to.”