Video
Introduction
Navigating employer compliance in the era of COVID-19 can be daunting. This post summarizes a recent webinar titled “OSHA Covid Vaccination & Testing ETS Webinar”, shedding light on how to guide employers, manage occupational health services, and ensure that businesses remain compliant with changing safety standards.
Welcome and Overview
The webinar started with a warm welcome and a respondent-roll call. Randy Van Stratton, the event’s principal speaker, acknowledged the participation and contributions of key experts like Gene Howell, the CEO of SNAP Health, and Stephanie Murdoch, the System Executive Director of Sanford Occupational Health.
The OSHA Emergency Temporary Standards
Randy highlighted the webinar’s main focus, the OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS). The purposes, benefits, and requirements of the standard were briefly explained. It was also clarified that the mandate is at present on hold, pending further court orders.
Simplifying the OSHA Standard for Better Understanding
To help employers better understand the ETS and the inherent responsibilities, Patrick Rowan was credited with simplifying the 400-page document into a manageable PowerPoint presentation. The discussion moved onto the specific requirements large employers need to meet. This includes maintaining ongoing records of vaccination status and potential exemptions, and ensuring employees report any COVID-19 related health changes.
Ensuring Employer Compliance in Challenging Times
Randy underscored the importance of employer preparedness. Employers were encouraged to define policies on testing, consider offering on-site tests, and even consider financial incentives for employees to get vaccinated.
Sanford’s Approach to OSHA Standard Compliance
Stephanie Murdoch of Sanford weighed in by providing background on how employer services had to be reformatted due to COVID-19. She emphasized that even if the OSHA mandate is not officially implemented, vaccination and testing programs can still be beneficial for employers aiming to maintain safe work environments.
Her advice centered on employers’ obligation to help create and maintain a safe workforce, and leveraging solution-oriented packages for employer needs such as medical program oversight and staff training.
Snap Health’s Solutions for Streamlining Compliance
To conclude the webinar, Gene Howell of SNAP Health introduced technologically innovative solutions that can help manage both employee testing and employer compliance. These included tools for managing and documenting vaccination status and test results, managing employer notification, and efficient ways to handle potential positive cases among employees.
Conclusion
While the webinar laid bare the challenges and complexities of abiding by revised standards in the context of COVID-19, it also demonstrated useful strategies and solutions for occupational health services functioning across the country. The crux of the discussion implored a focus on co-existing with COVID-19, striving to keep workspaces safe, and leveraging innovative tools and methods to ease compliance burdens. Proper planning, strategy formulation, and resource allocation can make a significant difference in managing and implementing occupational health standards in these challenging times.
Slides:
View the 2021.NAOHP OSHA Mandate here via Google Drive
View the 2021.NAOHP OSHA Mandate here via Dropbox
This Webinar Was Sponsored By:
SNAPHEALTHCARE TRACKING & REPORTING SOLUTION
SnapClinical is the most advanced digital platform specifically designed for Employee Health physicals, drug screens, and COVID-19 testing. SnapClinical offers complete automation when documenting and delivering Employee Health Physicals, Drug Screens, and COVID-19 results. Snap’s web-based system allows your team to be up and running in days, transforming how you document and deliver results to employers and patients using Employer portals, automated emails, and SMS Text messaging. Deliver any rapid lab result to the employer and patient in a lab format within minutes of completion.
Snap Clinical will increase operational efficiency, improve provider productivity and increase daily testing capacity. Get ahead of your competition by assuring services are always professional, accurate, and delivered in a fraction of the time. Employees may go home… but Snap keeps working for you 24/7, 365 days a year.
