A federal program that targets skilled nursing and other long-term care facilities for COVID-19 inspections and compliance is being extended past its Thursday deadline.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration on June 30 announced it was extending its Revised National Emphasis Program for COVID-19 “until further notice.” It’s also temporarily increasing its COVID inspection goal from 5% to 10% of inspections as the agency works to finalize a permanent coronavirus healthcare standard.
The program, which was set to expire today (Thursday), was launched by OSHA in March 2021. It focuses on enforcement efforts toward industries with a high risk for worker exposure to COVID-19, and employers that retaliate against workers who complain about unsafe or unhealthy conditions.
SNFs, continuing care retirement communities, assisted living facilities and home health care services are among the program’s targeted healthcare industries.
Federal data shows that COVID-19 cases in nursing homes have been on the rise since late April but have remained steady throughout June.
From March 2021 to March 2022, inspections under the revised program accounted for 7% of all federal OSHA inspections, according to the agency.
“Since the beginning of the pandemic in Feb. 2020, OSHA has issued 1,200 coronavirus-related citations to employers and to date assessed current penalties totaling $7.2 million dollars,” the Department of Labor said last week.
“OSHA has also obtained relief for more than 400 employees who filed coronavirus retaliation claims against employers, exceeding $5 million in monetary awards to employees,” the agency added.
The department also called on states to continue implementing their own emphasis programs for COVID-19 inspections in addition to the federal program.
