For Immediate Release
July 8, 2021
Contact: Office of Communications
Phone: 202-693-1999

OSHA extends comment period for COVID-19 healthcare emergency temporary standard

WASHINGTON –The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced that it will publish a notice in the Federal Register to extend the comment period for the COVID-19 healthcare emergency temporary standard (ETS) to August 20, 2021.

OSHA is extending the comment period by 30 days to allow stakeholders additional time to review the ETS and collect information and data necessary for comment.

Comments can be submitted electronically for Docket No. OSHA-2020-0004 via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for making electronic submissions.

On June 21, 2021, OSHA published an ETS to protect healthcare and healthcare support service workers from occupational exposure to COVID-19 in settings where workers are likely to have contact with someone infected with the virus. More information about the ETS is available at:  https://www.osha.gov/coronavirus/ets. 

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

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