Alert: OSHA’s New COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard

On November 5, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued an emergency temporary standard strongly encouraging COVID-19 vaccination of all employees of large employers (100 or more employees), and development of an employer policy regarding regular COVID-19 testing for non-vaccinated employees. Texas, several other states, and business advocates brought a lawsuit against final implementation of the standard, and in response, the US Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit temporarily blocked the rule. However, the outcome of the rule, set to take effect on January 4, 2022, has not been decided. The Texas Dental Association is closely monitoring the situation, and will update members as new information becomes available.