OSHA Issues COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard

The American Society for Health Care Engineering

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued an emergency temporary standard (ETS) on Monday, June 21, to protect health care workers from occupational exposure to COVID-19. The ETS applies, with some exceptions, to health care settings where people may share space with COVID-19 patients or interact with others who do. The ETS requires health care employers to develop and implement a COVID-19 plan that identifies and controls COVID-19 hazards in the workplace.

The ETS is effective as of June 21 and has a compliance date of July 5, 2021, with the exception of paragraphs (i), the use of cleanable or disposable solid barriers at fixed work locations outside of direct patient care areas; (k) ventilation requirements; and (n) training requirements, all of which have a compliance date of July 21.

In regard to the physical environment, the ETS requires:

1. Employers in settings where direct patient care is provided to limit the number of entrances to the facility, as well as provide a monitoring system for each point of entry to ensure that persons do not enter the facility without going through screening.
2. Each fixed work location outside of direct patient care areas where an employee is not separated from all other people by at least 6 feet of distance, the employer must install cleanable or disposable solid barriers, except where the employer can demonstrate it is not feasible.
3. Employers to provide alcohol-based hand rub that is at least 60% alcohol or provide readily accessible hand-washing facilities for use by employees.
4. Employers who own or control buildings or structures with existing heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems to ensure that:
   
   • Each HVAC system is used in accordance with the HVAC manufacturer’s instructions and its design specifications.
   • The amount of outside air circulated through its HVAC system and the number of air changes per hour (ACHs) are maximized to the extent appropriate.
   • All air filters are rated Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) 13 or higher, if compatible with the HVAC system (or, alternatively, rated at the highest compatible filtering efficiency);
   • All air filters are maintained and replaced as necessary.
   • All outside air intake ports are clean, maintained and cleared of any debris that may affect the function and performance of the HVAC system.
5. Moreover, where an employer has an existing airborne infection isolation room (AIIR), the employer must maintain and operate it in accordance with its design and construction criteria.

For additional information, see the posting at the Federal Register or download the pdf.

(ASHE Advocacy Alert | OSHA issues COVID-19 emergency temporary standard 6/23/21)