OSHA has reopened the rulemaking record and scheduled an informal public hearing as it works to develop a final standard to protect healthcare and healthcare support service workers from workplace exposure to COVID-19. Electronic comments are due by April 22, 2022.

On June 21, 2021, OSHA issued an emergency temporary standard (ETS) to protect workers in healthcare settings from occupational exposure to COVID-19. The ETS – which also served as a proposed rule – focused on healthcare workers most likely to have contact with people infected with the virus.

In reopening the rulemaking record, the agency is seeking new data and comments on a wide range of topics:

• Alignment with CDC'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