Original Message:
Sent: 06-14-2021 14:56
From: Drew Voytal
Subject: OSHA announces new COVID-19 temporary emergency standard for healthcare settings
Good afternoon MGMA members,
Last week, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a COVID-19 emergency temporary standard (ETS) with implications for health care employers. The landing page for the ETS can be found here and the fact sheet can be found here. Once the rule is published in the Federal Register, the compliance deadline for most provisions is within 14 days and within 30 days for the rest.
Some of the requirements in the ETS include:
- developing a “COVID-19 plan” that includes a workplace-specific hazard assessment
- cleaning and disinfection guidelines
- health screening and medical management protocols, and
- physical distance and physical barrier guidelines.
For the full list of requirements under the ETS, see the rule. Certain requirements are waived if workers are vaccinated and are in well-defined areas where there is no reasonable expectation that a person with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 will be present. For more information, see the FAQ.
Thanks,