*You are encouraged to share this information with your peers and colleagues throughout the industry as you deem appropriate.*
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Argentum has filed public comments in response to the Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) issued in June by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). This ETS is applicable to health care settings where workers face the highest COVID-19 hazards, and specifically lists assisted living facilities. We have asked that the ETS not be finalized, or if it is finalized, to specifically exclude assisted living from the requirements.
Argentum developed these comments with the assistance of our outside counsel, Foley Hoag LLP, which were then reviewed by the Legal and Government Affairs Committee, the Clinical Quality Executives Roundtable, and other stakeholders. Our comments note our opposition to the ETS, arguing that it is overly burdensome, duplicative/conflicting with other guidance and that OSHA may not have full authority for portions of the ETS.
Additionally, Argentum joined with AHCA/NCAL, ASHA, and Leading Age to file a joint comment letter in opposition to the ETS and asking that it not be made permanent. We have also shared our comments with Argentum’s State Partners and encouraged them to file similar comments reflecting how the ETS would specifically impact providers in their state.
OSHA has six months to make the ETS a permanent standard and will determine whether the ETS (or any aspect of it) should become final based on feedback from the public comments. For more information on the ETS, please review this summary (prepared by Argentum’s outside counsel, Foley Hoag LLP), and the summary and fact sheet prepared by OSHA.
James R. Balda
President & CEO
ARGENTUM | Expanding Senior Living
1650 King Street, 6th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22314
D: 703.562.1190 | C: 703.209.2601
