The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently issued guidelines for oil and gas workers and employers during the coronavirus pandemic. While similar to guidelines issued previously by various governmental authorities, this guidance is specific to oil and gas industry workers and employers. The web page providing the guidance may be viewed here.

Some of the guidance appears to be more aspirational than attainable in the real world. But under laws being enacted in several states, including Louisiana, a company’s adherence to governmental guidelines may help defend against claims for liability for injury or death resulting from exposure to COVID-19 during business operations. Thus, even though some of the guidelines may be impractical to implement, oil and gas industry participants may wish to consider whether to implement the guidelines, in whole or part, through use of policies, signage and other methods to inform workers of these practices and procedures.