The struggle by front-line healthcare workers to stay safe while treating COVID-19 patients began immediately when the pandemic erupted in March 2020, and it has only gotten more challenging. While the flow of personal protective equipment (PPE) to these workers has improved in some areas, many workers struggle to remain safe, even in the face of surging caseloads nationwide. Now the federal government has stepped in to assess the situation.

President Biden last week called for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to improve workplace safety for frontline healthcare workers battling COVID-19, according to Fierce Healthcare. Biden issued an executive order that included several policies OSHA must pursue on worker safety. The order comes as nurse unions have clamored for OSHA to require providers to give more protections for workers at high risk of contracting COVID-19.

Biden directed OSHA to issue revised guidance to employers on workplace safety during the pandemic within the next two weeks. The agency needs to decide whether emergency temporary standards are needed. If so, the standards should be issued by March 15.

Biden’s order also asks OSHA to consider if emergency temporary standards put in place during the pandemic are working, including whether new guidance on masks in the workplace are necessary. The workplace safety agency also should identify any changes that can be made to ensure equity in enforcement of any violations.

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