AHA advisory details OSHA standard on COVID-19 exposure

The American Hospital Association (AHA) released a detailed discussion of the emergency temporary standard (ETS) for occupational exposure to COVID-19, which was recently issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The ETS, which requires health care employers to take certain steps to protect their workers in settings where suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients are treated, is already in effect and employers were expected to comply with most of its provisions by July 6. The AHA expressed concern about ETS requirements and asked OSHA to delay the standard’s adoption. The association is urging members to submit comment letters to OSHA before the July 21 deadline. (AHA advisory, 7/2/21)