OSHA, State Workplace Safety Inspections Drop on Virus Worries

The number of federal and state safety inspections of workplaces has dipped by more than 50% since the mid-March start of novel coronavirus restrictions.

The decline comes as the worker safety agencies cope with a flood of worker complaints about employers not taking enough precautions to prevent the spread of the virus.

During the last week of February, before states and businesses began coronavirus containment measures, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration and its 27 state counterparts conducted about 1,550 inspections, enforcement data shows.

During the week of March 15 through 21—after business restrictions and stay-at-home orders began—the number ...