OSHA Accepting Additional Comments on COVID-19 Healthcare Standard

OSHA Accepting Additional Comments on COVID-19 Healthcare Standard

OSHA published a notice reopening the rulemaking record and scheduling an informal public hearing seeking comments on the development of a final standard to protect healthcare workers from workplace exposure to the COVID-19 virus. Written comments are due April 22, 2022. Individuals interested in testifying at the hearing can submit a notice of intent to appear within 14 days of the Federal Register notice that was published today. The online hearing will begin on April 27, 2022 and continue on subsequent days if necessary.  The agency is reopening the rulemaking record to allow for new data and comments on topics, including the following: 

  • Alignment with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations for healthcare infection control procedures. 
  • Additional flexibility for employers. 
  • Removal of scope exemptions. 
  • Tailoring controls to address interactions with people with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. 
  • Employer support for employees who wish to be vaccinated. 
  • Limited coverage of construction activities in healthcare settings. 
  • COVID-19 recordkeeping and reporting provisions. 
  • Triggering requirements based on community transmission levels. 
  • The potential evolution of SARS-CoV-2 into a second novel strain. 
  • The health effects and risk of COVID-19 since the ETS was issued. 

LeadingAge will review the Federal Register notice issued today and plan to submit comments before the deadline.  We will keep you posted on any other developments. 

 

Questions?

Contact:

Laura Hofmann, MSN, RN – Director of Clinical and Nursing Facility Regulatory Services
c: 425-231-4804

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March 23, 2022