New Federal COVID-19 Workplace Safety Rules for Health Care Workers in the USA

This week, the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration introduced new mandatory workplace safety rules to enhance the safety and protection of Registered Nurses and other medical professionals from COVID-19. These rules are expected to maintain or improve the safety for over 10,000,000 medical professionals working in the United States at hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities.

New Rules Mandate That Hospitals Must:

• Create and implement a COVID-19 protocol to reduce the risk of transmission

• Ensure people are distanced 6 feet apart

• Install barriers between work stations if social distancing is not possible

• Ensure ventilation systems are functioning properly

• Have all medical staff continue to wear a face masks while working indoors and wear appropriate PPE when working with patients who are suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19.

• Offer paid time off to allow unvaccinated staff to receive a COVID-19 vaccination or to recover from side effects following a COVID-19 vaccination

• Limit points of entry to optimize screening and management of staff and guests

• Have respirators available for when staff are in direct contact with a patient who is suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19

• Provide training to staff regarding the transmission of COVID-19, as well as other relevant policies and procedures

• Implement these additional requirements at no cost to the employees

You can review the new Occupational Safety and Health Administration Rules by CLICKING HERE