OSHA Releases COVID-19 Protection Standard for Health Care Workplaces

June 10 the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) describing specifically what certain health care industry employers must do to protect their workers from exposure to the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

All employers not covered by the ETS are still subject to the obligations under OSHA’s General Duty Clause and expected to consult and follow enhanced guidance OSHA also issued on June 10.

Once the ETS has been published in the Federal Register, it will be in effect. Employers must comply with most provisions within 14 days and with the remaining provisions within 30 days. OSHA will use its enforcement discretion to avoid citing employers who are making a good faith effort to comply with the ETS. There will be a 30-day comment period once the ETS is published. Under the statute, a permanent regulation is to be issued within 60 days.

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