It’s no secret that most operators have been struggling lately. The coronavirus has hammered this field in almost every way possible.
Thousands of residents and staff have perished. Revenues have bottomed out. And the sector continues to be maligned.
At times like these, it’s easy to forget that some good things are happening, too. Such as the way the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been doing its job. Or, more accurately, has not been doing its job.
To say that OSHA has taken a laissez-faire approach to the pandemic would be an understatement. For all practical purposes, the organization has shut down.
As of mid-July more than 6,000 workplace-related complaints had been filed since the pandemic began. Care to guess how many citations OSHA had issued in response? The answer isn’t zero, but it’s awfully close. In recent congressional testimony, Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia said the agency had issued one citation so far. Yes, one. (That number rose to two, a later news report said.)
From the perspective of someone running a long-term care organization, this is actually encouraging. In effect, the feds are staying off your back. Given its actions of late, one might even say OSHA has your back.
But here’s the thing: OSHA takes its marching orders from the White House. For the moment, that is a good reality for most long-term care operators. It’s well known that President Trump is no fan of regulatory oversight.
However, the summer months have suggested that Trump may lose in November’s election. At least, that’s what the polls say. (I know, I know, he was behind in the polls four years ago, too. But not by nearly so huge a margin.)
To be sure, a lot can change. But if things don’t, there is a pretty good chance we will soon have a new commander in chief. And should Joe Biden win, you can be pretty sure OSHA is going to start responding to workplace complaints with far more interest and enthusiasm.
So here’s my advice to operators: Stay well and do all you can to weather COVID-19. And as far as OSHA’s restful slumber is concerned, enjoy it while it lasts.
From the September 2020 Issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
