The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) this week issued an emergency temporary standard (ETS) for occupational exposure to COVID-19 that requires certain health care employers to help protect their workers in settings where suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients are treated. If they have not done so already, the ETS requires covered health care employers to develop and implement a COVID-19 plan to identify and control COVID-19 hazards in the workplace. Among other provisions, the ETS requires employers to provide reasonable time and paid leave for employee vaccinations and any side effects. OSHA also posted related summaries, fact sheets, and compliance assistance materials and tools. The ETS, which was released as an interim final rule, is effective immediately upon publication in the Federal Register. Employers must comply with most provisions within 14 days of publication, and with the remaining provisions within 30 days. Comments on the ETS are can be submitted in the 30 days after it is published in the Federal Register. (AHA News article, 6/10/21)
