The Division of Industrial Relations revealed that it has adopted the US Department of Labor’s OSHA Healthcare Emergency Temporary Standard. This step has been taken to protect healthcare workers from contracting SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19.
This Healthcare ETS authorizes new specifications for settings where employees provide healthcare or healthcare support services. This includes skilled nursing homes and home healthcare, with some exemptions for healthcare providers who screen outpatients who may have COVID-19.
Nevada OSHA has updated its Guidance for Business Operations for all non-healthcare businesses in Nevada in addition to the healthcare-focused ETS. Operating as an approved state enforcement program, Nevada OSHA is implementing the provisions of the national ETS program all over the state of Nevada effective July 1, 2021. Healthcare employers must comply with most of the provisions within 14 days and the remainder within 30 days. OSHA will use its enforcement discretion to avoid citing employers who miss a compliance deadline but are making good-faith efforts to comply.
The full text of the OSHA COVID-19 Healthcare ETS, summaries, fact sheets, FAQs, and other resources are posted online. Visit https://www.osha.gov/coronavirus/ets.
Nevada OSHA has also amended its COVID-19 Guidance for Business Operations under the State of Nevada’s Declaration of Emergency and Center for Disease Control Prevention and Guidance. Effective June 24, 2021, this new guidance addresses areas including vaccination, face coverings, PPE, the congregation of employees, sanitation practices, prevention plans, job hazard analysis,and health monitoring.
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 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
About the Division of Industrial Relations:
The Nevada Division of Industrial Relations is the principal regulatory agency responsible for workplace safety and worker protections in the state of Nevada. Comprised of five sections – the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Worker’s Compensation Section, the Mechanical Compliance Section, the Mine Safety and Training Section, and the Safety Consultation and Training Section – DIR works to protect Nevada’s workforce and provides a broad scope of training and support to the regulated community. For more information, visit http://dir.nv.gov
About Nevada OSHA:
Nevada OSHA operates as an approved state program as defined by section 18 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and is required by the Act to operate in a manner that is at least as effective as the federal OSHA enforcement program. Operating out of district offices in Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada OSHA conducts inspections and investigations intended to identify hazardous conditions which could harm Nevada’s workers and enforces state and federal laws protecting the state’s workers. From July 2019 – June 2020, Nevada OSHA conducted 714 inspections, issuing an average of 1.6 violations per inspection. For more information visit http://dir.nv.gov/OSHA/
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