COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard

North Carolina adopted verbatim the Federal OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for Healthcare with an effective date of July 21, 2021 in North Carolina. On July 21, employers that need to comply with the standard will need to comply with all provisions on the effective date except paragraphs 29 CFR 1910.502 (i) - physical barriers, (k) - ventilation and (n) - training. These three paragraphs are effective in North Carolina on August 5, 2021. 

Special Events

COVID-19 ETS webinars along with other related safety and health topics are being offered regularly by the OSH Division. You can register for our free courses by visiting the OSH Training Calendar. You may also request webinars or in-person training online at outreach services. 

What resources are available to assist employers?

Technical Assistance

To identify whether the new ETS applies to you, the Which Standards Apply webpage for Subpart U - COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard may be of assistance. 

Additionally, if you would like to receive interpretive guidance on this or any other OSH standard or topic, you can submit your questions using the Ask OSH web form, by email to ask.osh@labor.nc.gov or by calling 919-707-7876.

Training and Outreach Services

The COVID-19 ETS presentations (long) (short) are available to assist employers in training their staff. These presentations should be modified to address site-specific conditions and hazards at the workplace. There are other related presentations also available for the employer's use (i.e., respiratory protection, personal protective equipment).  

The education, training and technical assistance bureau provides free online safety and health training and outreach services (i.e., speaker's bureau requests, safety booths) upon request. 

The NCDOL Library offers free safety and health videos (including streaming video services) and related research assistance on consensus standards (i.e., ANSI) including those that are incorporated by reference in subpart U of the COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard.

Safety and Health Programs

In addition, this example COVID-19 Plan can assist employers in healthcare and healthcare support services in meeting the requirements of the ETS standard. There are also other related safety and health programs available for the employer's use (i.e., respiratory protection, personal protective equipment).  

Consultation Services

The consultative services bureau provides free and confidential onsite consultation regarding worksite safety and health hazards related to COVID-19.

A-Z Safety and Health Topics

More information related to COVID-19 can be found on the A-Z safety and health topics pages for COVID-19,  hazard communication, personal protective equipment, bloodborne pathogens, recording and reporting, medical services and first aid and respiratory protection.