Advisory panel critical of OSHA proposal to regulate infectious disease exposure

Jan 26, 2015 - 04:19 PM

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration should not proceed with a potential rule for occupational exposure to infectious diseases in health care and other related work settings unless it has risk data to justify a new regulation, according to a final report submitted by an advisory review panel of the U.S. Small Business Administration. The report recommends that OSHA consider other regulatory and non-regulatory alternatives, and assess each particular work setting to determine the level of risk associated with it. Most small entity representatives, including several AHA members, who provided input to the Small Business Advocacy Review Panel said they already do what OSHA would mandate. In a 2010 letter to OSHA, AHA said hospitals have effective and comprehensive programs in place that integrate the need to protect patients and health care personnel from infectious diseases, and there is no need for an additional standard.

Related News Articles

Headline
AHA comments on proposed revisions addressing federal grant regulation
The AHA July 13 commented on proposals by the Office of Management and Budget and other federal agencies to revise the Uniform Grants Regulation governing…
Headline
CMS, FDA announce pathway to expedite access to certain medical devices for Medicare beneficiaries
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Food and Drug Administration April 23 announced a new pathway to expedite access to certain FDA-…
Headline
AHA urges CMS to reduce burden on national provider identifier requirements for hospital off-campus PBDs
The AHA March 24 commented to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on upcoming requirements from the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026…
Headline
AHA shares recommendations with ASTP/ONC on HTI-5 proposed rule
The AHA Feb. 27 shared recommendations on the Health Data, Technology and Interoperability: ASTP/ONC Deregulatory Actions to Unleash Prosperity proposed rule,…
Headline
AHA urges smarter AI regulation for advancing innovation, safety and access to health care
The AHA today submitted a letter to the Office of Science and Technology Policy in response to its request for information on regulatory reform for artificial…
Headline
AHA, FAH file amicus brief in lawsuit against FTC for changes to premerger notification rule
The AHA and Federation of American Hospitals Aug. 8 filed an amicus brief in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas in support of the U.S.…