College Urges DOL to Issue Emergency Temporary Standard for COVID-19

April 13, 2021
 
The Honorable Martin Walsh
Secretary
U.S. Department of Labor
200 Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20210
 
Dear Secretary Walsh:
 
On behalf of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM), I am writing to urge you to issue the Emergency Temporary Standard for COVID-19.
 
ACOEM is a national medical society representing 4,000 occupational medicine physicians and other health care professionals devoted to promoting optimal health and safety of workers, workplaces, and environments. The College is dedicated to improving the care and well-being of workers through science and the sharing of knowledge.
 
ACOEM commends the Administration on the progress that has been made to vaccinate the American people. COVID-19, however, is still a present danger in many workplaces and vaccinations, though accelerating, are not yet at the point where they will stem community spread of the disease. A science-based safety standard requiring a COVID-19 prevention plan that involves workers is essential to controlling this pandemic and protecting American workers and families.
 
Thank you for your consideration of this recommendation.
 
Sincerely,
 
Beth A. Baker, MD, MPH, FACOEM
ACOEM President
 
cc: Cedric Richmond, Director of the Office of Public Engagement, White House