OSHA Issues COVID-19 Workplace Emergency Temporary Standard 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued an emergency temporary standard (ETS) to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission in the workplace. The ETS establishes binding requirements to protect unvaccinated employees of large employers with 100 or more employees from the risk of contracting COVID-19 in the workplace.

Understanding the ETS 

Employers covered by the ETS.
The ETS generally applies to employers in all workplaces that are under OSHA’s authority and jurisdiction, including industries as diverse as manufacturing, retail, delivery services, warehouses, meatpacking, agriculture, construction, logging, maritime and healthcare.

Workplaces not covered by the ETS.
This standard does not apply to workplaces covered under the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force COVID-19 Workplace Safety: Guidance for Federal Contractors and Subcontractors or in settings where employees provide healthcare services or healthcare support services when subject to the requirements of the Healthcare ETS (29 CFR 1910.502). 

Employees of covered employers not subject to the requirements.
The ETS does not apply to employees who do not report to a workplace where other individuals such as coworkers or customers are present, employees while they are working from home, or employees who work exclusively outdoors.

Tony Stergio, of Andrews Myers, PC, breaks it down here.

Visit www.osha.gov/coronavirus for additional information on COVID-19 laws and regulations, COVID-19 enforcement policies, compliance assistance materials and guidance, and Worker’s Rights.

 

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