OSHA Prioritizing Permanent Workplace Standards for Healthcare Industry
In an interview with Bloomberg Law, Doug Parker, Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Occupational and Safety Health Administration (OSHA), described the enactment of a permanent COVID-19 workplace standard for the healthcare industry as OSHA’s most urgent rulemaking.
OSHA withdrew portions of its original healthcare Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) because the agency couldn’t meet a legal December 21, 2021 deadline to enact a permanent standard. Parker stated that the original healthcare ETS remains the basis for which the new permanent standard is being developed and that OSHA hasn’t decided whether there will be a hearing or public comment period before a final version of the standard is enacted.
In addition to the permanent COVID-19 related standard, Parker also reiterated OSHA’s commitment to developing a more encompassing infectious disease standard for healthcare that would be completed after the COVID-19 measure is enacted. “This is a long-standing effort that began in the Obama administration,” Parker said. “The pandemic demonstrates the importance of having a general standard in place for high-hazard industries like health care.”
Impact on General Dentistry: AGD continues to monitor developments related to OSHA’s workplace standards and their impact on dental practices and the delivery of dental care. AGD will respond to OSHA rulemakings accordingly.
OSHA withdrew portions of its original healthcare Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) because the agency couldn’t meet a legal December 21, 2021 deadline to enact a permanent standard. Parker stated that the original healthcare ETS remains the basis for which the new permanent standard is being developed and that OSHA hasn’t decided whether there will be a hearing or public comment period before a final version of the standard is enacted.
In addition to the permanent COVID-19 related standard, Parker also reiterated OSHA’s commitment to developing a more encompassing infectious disease standard for healthcare that would be completed after the COVID-19 measure is enacted. “This is a long-standing effort that began in the Obama administration,” Parker said. “The pandemic demonstrates the importance of having a general standard in place for high-hazard industries like health care.”
Impact on General Dentistry: AGD continues to monitor developments related to OSHA’s workplace standards and their impact on dental practices and the delivery of dental care. AGD will respond to OSHA rulemakings accordingly.