OSHA Issues Emergency Temporary Standard Rule

Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) and other healthcare providers need to act under a new COVID-19 standard from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). HFAP is sharing this information to remind providers of the deadlines for compliance.

OSHA recently announced a COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) to help protect unvaccinated and at-risk workers. Employers must have complied, as applicable, to majority of the standard by July 5, with the remaining elements to be in place by July 21.

To see if the ETS applies to your organization and to access the required elements, use this flow chart released by OSHA.

If the ETS is applicable to your ASC:

  ETS elements to be in place July 5

• Having a COVID-19 plan (29 CFR 1910.502(c))
• Patient screening and management (29 CFR 1910.502(d))
• Standard and transmission-based precautions (29 CFR 1910.502(e))
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) (29 CFR 1910.502(f))
• Aerosol-generating procedures (AGP) (29 CFR 1910.502(f)(3), (g))
• Physical distancing (29 CFR 1910.502(h))
• Cleaning and disinfection (29 CFR 1910.502(j))
• Health screening and medical management (29 CFR 1910.502(l))
• Vaccination (29 CFR 1910.502(m))
• Anti-retaliation (29 CFR 1910.502(o))
• Requirements implemented at no cost to employees (29 CFR 1910.502(p))
• Recordkeeping (29 CFR 1910.502(q))
• Reporting COVID-19 fatalities and hospitalizations to OSHA (29 CFR 1910.502(r))
• Dates (29 CFR 1910.502(s))

  ETS elements to be in place July 21

• Physical barriers (29 CFR 1910.502(i))
• Ventilation (29 CFR 1910.502(k))
• Training (29 CFR 1910.502(n))

For in-depth information on each of the elements, review the FAQs posted on the OSHA website here.

For additional information on how to protect workers not under the ETS, see the OSHA information on Protecting Workers: Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace.

If there are specific topics you would like to see addressed in the Did You Know newsletter, drop us a note at info@hfap.org. Use “DYK ASC suggestion” in your subject line. We look forward to hearing from you!

Want to learn more about HFAP Ambulatory Surgery Center Accreditation?
✔️ Visit our ASC Program & Services page.

"Beyond the Standard" Podcast Examines Pandemic's Emotional Toll

ACHC’s podcast, Beyond the Standard, looks at the emotional toll of COVID-19 on healthcare workers at two hospitals and shares the perspective of a licensed clinical social worker specializing in anxiety and depression. Listen now to Episode 3: The Age of Anxiety.