OSHA Issues COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard for Healthcare Settings and Updates Guidance for Non-Healthcare Settings

June 21st, 2021 by Ann Rippe

New Material
Summary: OSHA is issuing a COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard which applies to all settings where an employee provides healthcare services or healthcare support services. The standard does not apply to first aid rendered by an employee who is not a healthcare provider, and specifies that where a medical clinic with healthcare services is located in a manufacturing facility, the standard only applies to the embedded healthcare setting and not the remainder of the facility. The standard requires a COVID-19 plan, health screening and management, personal protective equipment, physical distancing and barriers, cleaning and disinfection, ventilation, training, recordkeeping, and reporting; requires employers to support COVID-19 vaccination for each employee by providing reasonable time and paid leave for vaccination and any side effects experienced following vaccination; and includes a mini respiratory protection program for cases where an employee wears a respirator in lieu of a facemask where a facemask is required for COVID-19 protection. Additionally, OSHA is updating its COVID-19 guidance for employers not covered by the Emergency Temporary Standard.
[Full Text - 86 FR 32376]

Citations: 29 CFR 1910, Subpart U

Date Posted: 06/21/2021

Ann Rippe

Manager of Regulatory Services