DOSH Emphasis Program for Long-Term Care Facilities

More information is forthcoming, but WHCA has been informed through our partners at ERNWest that there is an emphasis program regarding industrial hygiene for skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. Here is what we currently know:

• There is a local emphasis program regarding industrial hygiene in skilled nursing and assisted living to run at least through 2024 but may be extended.
• This emphasis program covers the entire state.
• All inspections will likely be conducted by industrial hygienists regardless of the reason for inspection.
• Any inspection will likely include all aspects of industrial hygiene regardless of the initial scope of inspection.
• There is no published DOSH directive and may not be one.  It is unknown where, whether, or how we could have known about this prior to an inspection.  A published directive may be forthcoming but is not guaranteed.
• Some items that will be covered under this LEP (though not a comprehensive list): bloodborne pathogens, respiratory protection, hazard communication and hazardous chemical exposures, and ergonomics.
• Paperwork that may be requested to comply with this would be:
  • Safety data sheets and master list of chemicals
  • Respiratory protection
    • Fit testing
    • Medical evaluations
  • PPE assessments
  • Hepatitis B vaccination records
  • Training records
  • Policies and procedures regarding these programs

ERNWest will continue to monitor the situation and keep WHCA informed. Any information received will be shared with our members in order to help ensure facility preparation and compliance.

For those who wish to utilize DOSH consultation for safe patient/resident handling, DOSH recently hired a PhD physical therapist and has two other consultants with healthcare backgrounds.  They can be easily contacted via [email protected], instead of going through the general consultation request process.