OSHA issues COVID-19 safety rules for healthcare sector

On June 10, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released a long-anticipated COVID-19 emergency temporary standard (ETS) establishing workplace safety rules for the healthcare sector aimed at preventing spread of the virus. The agency also updated its coronavirus guidance for all employers not covered by the ETS, with a specific carve-out for fully vaccinated employees.

Emergency safety rules for healthcare employers

Which employers are covered by the ETS? The new ETS applies to all settings where any employee provides:

• Healthcare services such as those provided by doctors, nurses, emergency medical personnel, and oral health professionals; and
• Healthcare support services such as patient intake, patient food services, equipment and facility maintenance, and housekeeping services.

Are any such services excluded? Yes, the ETS is intended to cover only settings where suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients are treated. Therefore, nonhospital ambulatory care settings, such as doctor offices and clinics, aren’t covered so long as all nonemployees are screened before entry and people with suspected or confirmed coronavirus cases aren’t permitted to enter.

A medical clinic in a manufacturing facility or retail store that screens all nonemployees and doesn’t treat or permit entry of those who have (or are suspected to have) the virus aren’t covered by the ETS. Also excluded are: