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
Learn more in the
Federal Register notice.