By Dann M. Boyer, CHFM
Director of Facilities Operations
Sturdy Memorial Hospital
2021 NEHES President-Elect

September is here, and with that, the NEHES Fall Conference in Newport, RI. This year’s theme: “Innovation and People: What’s the Perfect Balance?” promises to be an outstanding presentation. The conference will be held at the Newport Marriott Hotel, 25 America’s Cup Avenue Newport, RI 02840, and will include the annual golf tournament at the Newport National Golf Club, and gala at the Ocean Cliff Hotel in Newport with stunning views of Narragansett Bay. Additionally, the conference will include over 20 fantastic educational opportunities.

The American Hospital Association (AHA) recently wrote to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) with two requests regarding the COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) published June 21. The AHA’s first request is that OSHA delay the ETS compliance for at least an additional six months. The current compliance timeline requires compliance by July 6 for most aspects of the standard and July 21 for physical environment and training aspects. The AHA also requested OSHA extend the comment deadline by an additional 30 days to Aug. 20, which was approved, giving professionals more time to review and weigh in on the standard.

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