b'US Department of Labor terminates COVID-19 healthcare rulemaking OSHA, National Safety Council, Road to ZeroCoalition join initiative to prevent fatal workplace motor vehicle incidents WASHINGTONThe U.S. Department of Labor announced that its Occupational Safety and Health Administration has terminated its COVID-19WASHINGTONTo reduce fatal worker injuries related healthcare rulemaking.to motor vehicle incidents - the nation\'s leading cause of workplace deaths - the U.S. Department of Labor\'s Occupa-On June 21, 2021, OSHA issued an Emergencytional Safety and Health Administration has joined forces Temporary Standard to protect workers fromwith the National Safety Council and the Road to Zero Coa-COVID-19 in healthcare settings, which also servedlition to help prevent incidents and save lives. as a proposed rule on which OSHA requested com- In 2023, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found transportation-ments. The agency received public input on thisrelated incidents caused 36.8 percent of the 5,283 fatal work proposal during multiple comment periods and pub- injuries in the U.S., underscoring the critical need for action. lic hearings from June 2021 through May 2022. OSHA submitted a draft final COVID-19 rule to theThis joint initiative aims to reduce and prevent these trage-White House Office of Management and Budget ondies by fostering a culture of safety and preventive practices to protect workers on the nation\'s roads. Ultimately, OSHA Dec. 7, 2022.wants employers to make safety a core principle by integrat-On April 10, 2023, President Biden signed into lawing safe driving and transportation practices into their busi-House Joint Resolution 7, which terminated the na- nesses\' safety and health management systems. tional emergency related to the COVID-19 pandem- "Unlike other workplaces, the roadway is not a closed envi-ic.ronment. Preventing work-related roadway incidents re-quires a combination of traffic safety principles and sound With todays announcement, OSHA is now termi- safety management practices," said Assistant Secretary for nating the rulemaking because the most effectiveOccupational Safety and Health Doug Parker. "By collabo-and efficient use of agency resources to protectrating with the National Safety Council and the Road to Ze-healthcare workers from occupational exposure toro Coalition, we can promote safe driving policies to pre-COVID-19, as well as a host of other infectious dis- vent needless tragedies." eases, is to focus its resources on the completion of"The most dangerous thing a person can do on the job is get an Infectious Diseases rulemaking for healthcare.in a vehicle," said Lorraine Martin, NSC president and Read the termination of rulemaking.CEO, and chair of the Road to Zero Coalition. "That\'s what makes this partnership so critical. By joining Road to Zero, OSHA strengthens our ability to protect workers both onand off the job. Together, we can create safer roads for eve-ryonewhether they are driving for work or sharing the Media Contact:roads with those who do." Patrick Malone, 202-693- OSHA\'s Motor Vehicle Safety webpage offers guidance for 4631, malone.patrick.m@dol.govemployers on developing written policies and procedures for workplace vehicle safety. These include topics such as vehi-Release Number:25-36-NATcle maintenance, seat belt use, and preventing distracted, drowsy and impaired driving. The webpage also emphasizes the importance of involving drivers in creating and refining safety programs, as their firsthand knowledge can help iden-tify and address potential hazards. 8'