| OSHA Releases Several Proposed Rules | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/OSHA-Releases-Several-Proposed-Rules.aspx | OSHA Releases Several Proposed Rules | | | | | 7/1/2025 4:00:00 AM | | <span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;">The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) this week released several proposed rules on the </span><a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/05/14/2025-08384/request-for-information-rfi-ensuring-lawful-regulation-and-unleashing-innovation-to-make-american" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" style="font-size:11pt;"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Fede</span><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">r</span><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">al Register</span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;">. The proposed rules appear to have a direct impact on long term care and include the following:</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{}" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span><div><br></div><div><ol role="list" start="1"><li><a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/01/2025-11625/occupational-exposure-to-covid-19-in-healthcare-settings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" style="font-size:11pt;"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Federal Register: Occupational Exposure to COVID-19 in Healthcare Settings</span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;"></span><span data-ccp-props="{}" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span></li><ul><li><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;">OSHA is proposing to remove OSHA's COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard and its associated recordkeeping and reporting provisions from the Code of Federal Regulations.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span></li></ul></ol></div><div><ol role="list" start="2"><li data-leveltext="%1." data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":0,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[65533,0],"469777803":"left","469777804":"%1.","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/01/2025-12236/occupational-safety-and-health-standards-interpretation-of-the-general-duty-clause-limitation-for" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Federal </span><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Register:</span><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink"> Occupational Safety and Health Standards; Interpretation of the General Duty Clause: Limitation for Inherently Risky Professional Activities</span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li></ol></div><div><ol role="list" start="1"><ul><li><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;">OSHA proposes to clarify its interpretation of the General Duty Clause, </span><a href="https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/29/654" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" style="font-size:11pt;"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">29 U.S.C. 654(a)(1)</span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;">, to exclude from enforcement known hazards that are inherent and inseparable from the core nature of a professional activity or performance.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span></li></ul></ol></div><div><ol role="list" start="3"><li data-leveltext="%1." data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":0,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[65533,0],"469777803":"left","469777804":"%1.","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/01/2025-12235/amending-the-medical-evaluation-requirements-in-the-respiratory-protection-standard-for-certain" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Federal </span><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Register:</span><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink"> Amending the Medical Evaluation Requirements in the Respiratory Protection Standard for Certain Types of Respirators</span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li></ol></div><div><ol role="list" start="1"><ul><li><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;">OSHA is proposing to remove some medical evaluation requirements in the Respiratory Protection Rule for certain types of respirators. This proposed change would only impact filtering facepiece respirators and loose-fitting powered air-purifying respirators.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span></li></ul></ol></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">An additional proposed rule was withdrawn:</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><ol role="list" start="1"><li data-leveltext="%1." data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":0,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[65533,0],"469777803":"left","469777804":"%1.","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/01/2025-11624/occupational-injury-and-illness-recording-and-reporting-requirements-withdrawal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Federal </span><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Register:</span><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink"> Occupational Injury and Illness Recording and Reporting Requirements; Withdrawal</span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> - Effective July 1, 2025</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li></ol></div><div><ol role="list" start="1"><ul><li><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;">OSHA is withdrawing the proposal to amend the OSHA 300 Log by adding a column that employers would use to record work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Withdrawal of the proposal does not change any employer's obligation to complete and retain occupational injury and illness records under OSHA's regulations. Withdrawal of the proposal also does not change the recording criteria or definitions used for these records.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span></li></ul></ol></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Please send any questions to </span><a href="mailto:regulatory@ahca.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">regulatory@ahca.org</span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">. AHCA will submit comments to the Federal Register.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div> | | |
| OSHA Announces Suspension of COVID-19 Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements for Health Care Settings | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/OSHA-Announces-Suspension-of-COVID-19-Recordkeeping-and-Reporting-Requirements-for-Health-Care-Settings-.aspx | OSHA Announces Suspension of COVID-19 Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements for Health Care Settings | | | | | 6/23/2025 4:00:00 AM | | <div>Earlier this year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (<a href="http://www.osha.gov/" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">OSHA</a>) issued a <a href="https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2025-02-05" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">memorandum</a> announcing an immediate suspension, or “stay,” of its COVID-19 recordkeeping and reporting requirements under <a href="https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1904" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">29 CFR 1910.502</a>. This change, effective until further notice, relieves nursing homes, assisted living communities, hospitals, and other health care settings from maintaining a dedicated COVID-19 log or reporting COVID-19 fatalities and hospitalizations as previously required. Issued by Deputy Assistant Secretary Scott C. Ketcham and Acting Director Erin P. Gilmore, the memo marks a significant shift in OSHA’s approach to COVID-19 compliance. </div><div><br></div><div><strong>Background </strong></div><div><br></div><div>In June 2021, OSHA adopted the <em>Healthcare Emergency Temporary Standard</em> (ETS) to protect workers in health care settings from COVID-19. Codified at 29 CFR 1910.502, the ETS required employers to develop COVID-19 safety plans, maintain a log of employee COVID-19 cases, and report work-related fatalities and hospitalizations. In December 2021, OSHA withdrew most ETS provisions but retained the recordkeeping and reporting requirements to monitor workplace exposures. These included maintaining a COVID-19 log for all employee cases (regardless of work-relatedness) and reporting fatalities and hospitalizations that occurred long after the initial date of illness. The February 2025 memo ends enforcement of these requirements, aligning COVID-19 recordkeeping and reporting with standard OSHA regulations under 29 CFR 1904. </div><div><br></div><div><strong>Changes in COVID-19 Death and Hospitalization Reporting </strong></div><div><br></div><div>Under standard OSHA rules, nursing homes and assisted living communities must report work-related fatalities within eight hours and in-patient hospitalizations within 24 hours of learning about the event - but only if the fatality occurs within 30 days of a workplace incident or the hospitalization occurs within 24 hours of the incident. For COVID-19, this means only cases clearly tied to workplace exposure and meeting these exposure-to-event timelines are reportable, which can be challenging to determine due to community spread. </div><div><br></div><div>During the Health Care ETS from June to December 2021, OSHA required reporting of all work-related COVID-19 fatalities and hospitalizations, regardless of how much time had passed since the workplace exposure. The reporting timelines remained the same (eight hours for fatalities, 24 hours for hospitalizations after discovery), but the ETS eliminated the 30-day (fatality) and 24-hour (hospitalization) exposure-to-event restrictions. This meant facilities had to report even cases where death or hospitalization occurred months after exposure, increasing the reporting burden. </div><div><br></div><div>With the February 5, 2025, stay, the ETS reporting requirements are no longer enforced. Facilities revert to the standard OSHA rules, reporting only work-related COVID-19 fatalities within 30 days of exposure and hospitalizations within 24 hours of exposure. This reduces the number of reports required but requires careful assessment of work-relatedness and adherence to the exposure-to-event timelines. </div><div><br></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="/News-and-Communications/Blog/PublishingImages/Pages/OSHA-Announces-Suspension-of-COVID-19-Recordkeeping-and-Reporting-Requirements-for-Health-Care-Settings-/OSHA.PNG" alt="OSHA.PNG" style="margin:5px;" /><br><br><br></div><div><strong style="font-size:11pt;">Implications for Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Communities </strong></div><div><br></div><div>The stay significantly reduces the administrative burden on health care facilities. Nursing homes and assisted living communities no longer need to maintain a separate COVID-19 log or report fatalities and hospitalizations under the ETS rules. This allows staff to focus on resident care and other safety priorities, such as infection control and staff training. However, facilities must continue to record work-related COVID-19 cases on OSHA Forms 300, 300A, and 301 if they meet the criteria under 29 CFR 1904 (e.g., confirmed cases requiring medical treatment or time off work). </div><div><br></div><div>Administrators should review their recordkeeping processes to ensure compliance with standard OSHA requirements and document assessments of work-relatedness for COVID-19 cases. For guidance on distinguishing <em>recording</em> from <em>reporting</em> and determining work-relatedness for COVID-19 cases, see <a href="/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/OSHA-Recordkeeping-and-Reporting-A-Guide-to-Determination.aspx" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">Recordkeeping and Reporting: A Guide to Determination</a>. While the COVID-19 log is no longer mandatory, some facilities may choose to maintain it voluntarily to track exposures and inform safety measures. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities should also sustain robust infection control practices, such as hand hygiene, ventilation, and personal protective equipment use, to protect residents and staff. Consulting OSHA’s COVID-19 guidance for nursing homes can help maintain a safe environment. </div><div><br></div><div><strong>Conclusion </strong></div><div><br></div><div>OSHA’s suspension of COVID-19 recordkeeping and reporting requirements under 29 CFR 1910.502 reflects a shift in pandemic-related compliance as the public health landscape evolves. For nursing homes and assisted living communities, this change offers relief from administrative tasks but underscores the importance of adhering to standard OSHA recordkeeping rules and prioritizing workplace safety. Facilities should schedule a compliance review to align with 29 CFR 1904, train staff on updated processes, and consult compliance experts as needed. </div><div><br></div><div>Please send questions to <a href="mailto:regulatory@ahca.org" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">regulatory@ahca.org</a>. <br></div><p><br><br></p> | Earlier this year, OSHA issued a memorandum announcing an immediate suspension, or “stay,” of its COVID-19 recordkeeping and reporting requirements under 29 CFR 1910.502. | |
| Meet OSHA and CMS Safety Mandates with AHCA/NCAL's Respiratory Protection Plan | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Meet-OSHA-and-CMS-Safety-Mandates-with-AHCANCAL's-Respiratory-Protection-Plan.aspx | Meet OSHA and CMS Safety Mandates with AHCA/NCAL's Respiratory Protection Plan | | | | | 6/3/2025 4:00:00 AM | | <p><span style="font-size:11pt;">A respiratory protection plan isn’t just a regulatory checkbox. It’s part of operational safety and health where health standards and emergency preparedness rules converge on one truth – airborne hazards like those seen during the pandemic demand readiness. </span></p><div><span style="font-size:11pt;">Skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, and ID/DD centers are required by OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard (</span><a href="https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.134" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank" style="font-size:11pt;">29 CFR 1910.134</a><span style="font-size:11pt;">) to establish and maintain a respiratory protection program when employees are exposed to airborne hazards, including infectious agents such as COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses. Additionally, CMS health standards (</span><a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank" style="font-size:11pt;">42 CFR 483 Subpart B</a><span style="font-size:11pt;">) mandate a safe environment for residents which starts with healthy employees, and emergency preparedness rules (</span><a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-G/part-483/subpart-B/section-483.73" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank" style="font-size:11pt;">42 CFR 483.73</a><span style="font-size:11pt;">) require an annual hazard vulnerability assessment to identify risks including airborne infections. </span></div><div><br></div><div>The OSHA mandate includes performing medical evaluations, conducting fit testing, providing appropriate respirators, and ensuring proper training for all employees who are at risk. Failure to comply can result in substantial fines, penalties, and increased liability, as well as serious health risks to employees. </div><div><br></div><div>To assist care providers in meeting these federal requirements, AHCA/NCAL, in collaboration with MCA Consulting, LLC, has developed a comprehensive <a href="https://educate.ahcancal.org/products/respiratory-protection-and-osha-requirements-training#tab-product_tab_overview" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">Respiratory Protection Plan</a> training and toolkit. This all-in-one resource contains everything needed for full compliance with OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard, including a customizable template plan, essential forms, training videos, and detailed reference guides. Meeting OSHA’s standard also helps demonstrate compliance with the CMS health and emergency preparedness mandates. </div><div><br></div><div>Resources include: </div><div><br></div><div><ul><li>Access to OSHA-mandated forms for program documentation <br></li><li>Step-by-step fit testing instructions to ensure proper respirator use <br></li><li>Customizable templates tailored to your facility's specific needs <br></li><li>Practical guides and tools for straightforward implementation <br></li><li>Video training for managerial staff and program administrators on respiratory protection requirements <br></li><li>Video training for employees, meeting all annual OSHA training requirements </li></ul></div><div><br></div><div>AHCA/NCAL offers a deeply discounted <a href="https://educate.ahcancal.org/products/respiratory-protection-and-osha-requirements-training#tab-product_tab_overview" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">3-year subscription</a> to this complete all-in-one resource package valued at $4,000+ if purchased through consulting firms. The 3-year subscription is $499 for AHCA/NCAL members and $699 for non-members, and includes everything providers need for federal OSHA respiratory protection plan compliance. <br></div><div><br></div><div>Members will need to login with their AHCA/NCAL usernames and passwords to subscribe. For assistance obtaining usernames and passwords, members should e-mail <a href="mailto:educate@ahca.org" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">educate@ahca.org</a> with their name and facility contact information. <br></div><p></p> | A respiratory protection plan isn’t just a regulatory checkbox. | |
| Simplifying Oxygen Signage Requirements | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Simplifying-Oxygen-Signage-Requirements-.aspx | Simplifying Oxygen Signage Requirements | | | | | 3/4/2025 5:00:00 AM | | <p><span style="font-size:11pt;">Managing life safety compliance is a complex, multi-faceted task. It requires knowledge in multiple codes, utilization of the proper code editions, and determination of which requirements are applicable to your building. This blog post will break down the requirements around oxygen signage. </span></p><div><span style="font-size:11pt;">The Healthcare Facilities Code® (NFPA 99) contains most of the requirements related to oxygen systems, storage and signage. CMS has adopted the 2012 edition of NFPA 99. Oxygen signage requirements fall into two categories: signage for oxygen storage and signage when oxygen is in use. </span></div><div><br></div><div>When oxygen cylinders or containers are stored within an enclosure, a precautionary sign is required on the door or gate that is readable from a distance of five feet away. The signage must include the following wording:<br></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="/News-and-Communications/Blog/PublishingImages/Pages/Simplifying-Oxygen-Signage-Requirements-/Oxygen.png" alt="Oxygen.png" style="margin:5px;" /><br></div><div><br></div><div><div>This requirement is intended to apply to rooms and enclosures where multiple cylinders are being stored. It is not necessary to place signage everywhere an oxygen cylinder is located in a building. For example, cylinders available for emergency use on carts, at nurse stations, and staged in small quantities are not subject to oxygen storage signage requirements. </div><div> </div><div>The signage requirements that apply when oxygen is being utilized in the building depend on the facility’s smoking policy. A facility that prohibits smoking is only required to provide precautionary signage at the building’s major entry points. However, a facility that allows smoking must provide precautionary signage wherever supplemental oxygen is in use, including the aisles and walkways leading to such areas. In all cases, the signage must be readable from a distance of five feet away. The annex section of NFPA 99 suggests signage be no smaller than 8 X 11 inches and include the following wording and symbol: </div><div><br></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="/News-and-Communications/Blog/PublishingImages/Pages/Simplifying-Oxygen-Signage-Requirements-/Oxygen2.png" alt="Oxygen2.png" style="margin:5px;" /><br></div><div><br><div>Finally, if liquid oxygen is used in the building and transfilling occurs – where liquid oxygen is transferred from a base reservoir container to portable liquid oxygen containers <span style="color:#555555;font-size:14.6667px;background-color:#ffffff;">–</span> signage must be posted at the transfilling location indicating that transfilling is occurring and smoking is not permitted in the immediate area. <br></div><div><br></div><div>The detailed requirements for oxygen signage can be found in Chapter 11 (Gas Equipment) of NFPA 99. NFPA provides a <a href="https://www.nfpa.org/for-professionals/codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/free-access" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">free viewer</a> where you can access codes and standards on their website. Hardcopy and user-friendly on-line subscriptions are also available for a fee at <a href="http://www.nfpa.org/" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">www.nfpa.org</a>. </div><div><br></div><div>AHCA is always available to support members with life safety compliance questions. Inquiries can be emailed to <a href="mailto:emergencyprep@ahca.org" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">emergencyprep@ahca.org</a>. <br></div><br></div><br></div><div> <br></div><p></p> | Managing life safety compliance is a complex, multi-faceted task. | |