The emergency temporary standard establishes new requirements for settings where employees provide healthcare or health care support services, including skilled nursing homes and home healthcare, with some exemptions for healthcare providers who screen out patients who may have COVID-19. OSHA will update the standard, if necessary, to align with CDC guidelines and changes in the pandemic.

"This standard is necessary to give our healthcare workers deeply needed protections," said Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Jim Frederick. "This tailored standard allows OSHA to help the workers most in danger of contracting the virus, while the updated guidance will give other businesses across the country the information they need to help protect unvaccinated workers and continue mitigating spread in the workplace."

In addition to the healthcare-focused ETS, OSHA is issuing updated guidance to help employers and workers in other industries protect workers who are still not vaccinated, with a special emphasis on other industries noted for prolonged close-contacts like meat processing, manufacturing, seafood, and grocery and high-volume retail.

The healthcare emergency temporary standard is aimed at protecting workers facing the highest coronavirus hazards—those working in health care settings where suspected or confirmed coronavirus patients are treated. This includes employees in hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities; emergency responders; home health care workers; and employees in ambulatory care settings where suspected or confirmed coronavirus patients are treated.

The standard will require non-exempt facilities to conduct a hazard assessment and have a written plan to mitigate virus spread, and requires healthcare employers to provide some employees with N95 respirators or other personal protective equipment. In addition, covered employers must ensure 6 feet of distance between workers. In situations where this is not possible, employers should erect barriers between employees where feasible.

The standard also requires covered employees to provide workers with paid time off to get vaccinated and to recover from any side effects. Covered employees who have coronavirus or who may be contagious must work remotely or otherwise be separated from other workers if possible, or be given paid time off up to $1400 per week. For most businesses with fewer than 500 employees, tax credits in the American Rescue Plan may be reimbursed through these provisions.

The ETS exempts fully vaccinated workers from masking, distancing and barrier requirements when in well-defined areas where there is no reasonable expectation that any person will be present with suspected or confirmed coronavirus.

The ETS is effective immediately upon publication in the Federal Register. Employers must comply with most provisions within 14 days and with the remaining provisions within 30 days. OSHA will use its enforcement discretion to avoid citing employers who miss a compliance deadline but are making a good faith effort to comply with the ETS. OSHA will continue to monitor trends in coronavirus transmission.

ASSP releases statement on OSHA’s emergency rule for healthcare workers

The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) released the following statement from ASSP President Deborah Roy, M.P.H., RN, COHN-S, CSP, CIT, FASSP, FAAOHN:

“ASSP supports efforts by OSHA that aim to safeguard healthcare workers across the country from the airborne spread of the virus. The emergency temporary standard is a necessary action that will help employers across the healthcare sector take vital measures to better protect some of our most vulnerable workers and ultimately save lives. While we are still analyzing the components of the standard, we know there are benefits to having a unified approach with requirements and guidance to lead healthcare facilities in the same direction to achieve safer and healthier work environments. The use of standards is an effective way to implement strong controls that improve occupational safety and health. We are immediately making ASSP members aware of this emergency temporary standard and are working to ensure that its application in healthcare settings is understood.”

NSC statement

National Safety Council also spoke out in support of OSHA's release of an Emergency Temporary Standard focused on healthcare workers.  Last summer, NSC realized the threat COVID-19 posed to the health and safety of workers and called on OSHA to issue a standard then to address distancing, personal protective equipment recommendations, sanitation availability, hierarchy of controls, screening protocols, and workplace response plan development.

NSC said it recognizes the need for additional guidance to help employers not covered by the ETS and is currently reviewing the guidance OSHA issued. Ultimately, NSC recommends employers take a risk-based approach for their specific work environment to ensure the safety of all workers.

"Additionally, employers must continue to lead U.S. vaccine promotion and uptake efforts, understanding this is the best route to a safe, collaborative and productive work environment. NSC stands ready to assist both the public and private sector in helping employers safely and effectively navigate the evolving work environment."