Federal Covid-19 Workplace Safety Inspections on Rise in South

Federal inspections targeting workplace Covid-19 hazards have increased in many southern states in recent months, while declining in the Northeast and Midwest, reversing a pattern from earlier in the pandemic.

In most southern states, including Texas and Louisiana, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration conducted more inspections from May 1 through July 13 than during the same period a year ago, according to a Bloomberg Law review of the most recent enforcement data the agency would provide.

Inspections in Texas registered a 171% boost—57 from May through mid-July this year compared with 21 during that time in 2020. In Louisiana, ...