The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) launched an initiative to protect healthcare workers at hospitals and skilled nursing care facilities that treat or handle COVID-19 patients. The goal is to control the spread of COVID-19 and its future variants and protect the health and safety of healthcare workers at heightened risk for contracting the virus. Covered entities will fall under the following four NAICS codes:
- 622110 – General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
- 622210 – Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Hospitals
- 623110 – Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities)
- 623312 – Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly
OSHA intends to expand its presence in these targeted high-hazard healthcare facilities during a three-month period from March 9, 2022, to June 9, 2022.
Next Steps
Although many states have begun rolling back COVID-19 guidelines and health and safety requirements, it does not preclude OSHA from issuing citations where an employer is not taking prudent measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. For clients who fall under any of these four classification codes, it would be recommended that they review the announcement and memorandum, in addition to, the National Emphasis Program (NEP-DIR 2021-03) for additional information and mitigation strategies and that they update their workplace health and safety policies and procedures as necessary.
