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OSHA has extended the comment period for the COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards released June 21, 2021
- By: Danielle Watford
- On: 07/16/2021 10:38:48
- In: Quality/Regulatory
OSHA has Extended the comment period for the COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards released June 21, 2021.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has extended the comment period for the COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) to August 20, 2021. This new date allows stakeholders additional time to review the ETS and collect information and data necessary for comment. Keep in mind AHCA/NCAL has previously sent a letter to OSHA requesting the comment period be extended on the ETS through August 20 to provide adequate feedback.
In addition, a webinar was provided to review the ETS and the implications for AHCA/NCAL members and the recording is available for members now.
Many of these ETS standards are already required under CDC, CMS, or other public health guidance. In order to ensure compliance we recommend that providers start by:
- ?Identifying a COVID-19 site safety coordinator and downloading the COVID-19 plan template.
- Providers should use OSHA's COVID-19 Healthcare Worksite Checklist & Employee Job Hazard Analysis to identify what is already in place in their facility and plan and prioritize implementing what is not.
- Review the many OSHA resources on the ETS website to help employers meet these standards.
OSHA also offers an On-Site Consultation Program. This free and confidential consultation program provides occupational safety and health services to small- and medium-sized businesses. Consultation services are separate from enforcement and do not result in penalties or citations.
MHCA STRONGLY encourages providers to document efforts of implementation and monitoring. This can be shared with an OSHA inspector if an onsite visit occurs to show what is in place, what's in progress, and the overall good faith efforts to meet the standards.
Keep in mind that regardless of the extended comment period, compliance of most of these standards became effective July 6, 2021. AHCA/NCAL has requested that compliance of ETS be delayed by at least an additional six months. While many of these standards are already in place in provider's communities, some of the new standards require a level of resources many facilities do not currently have available and will take extended time to fully implement.
Members are encouraged to review the new resources provided by OSHA to help with ETS compliance.
Staff Contact: dwatford@mehca.org
Staff Contact: dwatford@mehca.org