Nevada OSHA issues COVID-19 guidance for non-healthcare businesses, adopts federal healthcare worker standard
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Sun, 06/27/2021 - 9:08am
The Division of Industrial Relations has announced the adoption of the US Department of Labor’s OSHA Healthcare Emergency Temporary Standard to protect healthcare workers from contracting SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19. In addition to the healthcare focused ETS, Nevada OSHA has updated its Guidance for Business Operations for all non-healthcare businesses in Nevada.
The Healthcare ETS establishes new requirements for settings where employees provide healthcare or healthcare support services, including skilled nursing homes and home healthcare, with some exemptions for healthcare providers who screen out patients who may have COVID-19.
Nevada OSHA, operating as an approved state enforcement program, is implementing the provisions of the national ETS program throughout the state of Nevada effective July 1, 2021. Healthcare employers must comply with most provisions within 14 days and the remaining provisions within 30 days. The agency will use its enforcement discretion to avoid citing employers who miss a compliance deadline but are making a good-faith effort to comply.
The full text of the OSHA COVID-19 Healthcare ETS, summaries, fact sheets, FAQ’s and other resources are posted online at https://www.osha.gov/coronavirus/ets.
Nevada OSHA has also updated its COVID-19 Guidance for Business Operations under the State of Nevada’s Declaration of Emergency and Center for Disease Control Prevention and Guidance. This updated guidance effective June 24, 2021 addresses areas including vaccination, face coverings, personal protective equipment, congregation of employees, sanitation practices, health monitoring, prevention plans and job hazard analysis.
The updates from the previous version of the guidance address modification of required sanitation practices including clarification of when cleaning should occur and under what circumstances the use of EPA List N disinfectants should be used.
The full text of the COVID-19 Guidance for Business Operations under the State of Nevada’s Declaration of Emergency and Center for Disease Control Prevention and Guidance (June 24, 2021 version) is posted online at https://www.dir.nv.gov/.
Complying with and implementing the most up-to-date COVID-19 standards and practices can be challenging. The Division of Industrial Relations Safety Consultation and Training Section (SCATS) offers free consultations to businesses to help them understand and implement the requirements in order to comply with the health and safety guidance and directives for all businesses and specific requirements for each industry. SCATS can be reached by calling 1-877-4SAFENV.
