Tennessee adopted Occupational Safety and Health Standards Covid-19 Emergency Temporary Rule

TMC is providing this information for healthcare workers in the state of Tennessee. Tennessee has adopted Chapter 0800-01-12 Occupational Safety and Health Standards Covid-19 Emergency Temporary Rule.

Many outpatient medical + dental practices, will be exempt from the requirements of this rule. Non-hospital-based ambulatory care settings will be able to claim the exemption by demonstrating that all non-workers are screened for indication of COVID-19 prior to entry.

If your practice/facility does not meet one of the listed exemptions, all the following requirements of the COVID-19 ETS must be in place:

• A written COVID-19 plan for employers with 10 or more employees.
• Patient screening and management.
• Policies + procedures to adhere to the standard and transmission-based precautions.
• PPE, including face masks while workers are indoors
• Limit exposure and disinfect areas when engaging in aerosol-generating procedures with individuals with known or suspected cases of COVID-19.
• Physical distancing while indoors.
• Clean + disinfect in accordance with CDC guidelines
• Paid leave for vaccinations and recovery.
• Anti-retaliation protections.
• COVID-19 log with 10 or more employees.
• Reporting COVID-19 fatalities and hospitalizations

Employers must also comply with the following items

• Daily health screenings.
• Employee notification of employers if an employee tests positive for COVID-19, suspects they have COVID-19, or have symptoms.
• Employer notification of employees within 24 hours of known cases.
• Removal of employees from the workplace in accordance with CDC guidance
• For employers with more than 10 employees, medical removal protection benefits for isolated or quarantined employees.