“Our patience is running thin,” US president Joe Biden famously told unvaccinated Americans last month after announcing that he would direct the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to implement a Covid-19 vaccine mandate for large private employers. Today (Nov. 4), OSHA released the full text of the rule.


“Our patience is running thin,” US president Joe Biden famously told unvaccinated Americans last month after announcing that he would direct the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to implement a Covid-19 vaccine mandate for large private employers. Today (Nov. 4), OSHA released the full text of the rule.
Under the new requirements, companies with more than 100 employees will be obligated to request proof of vaccination or to test employees weekly for Covid-19 as a condition of employment. Failure to comply with the new emergency temporary standard (ETS) will lead to fines of up to $14,000 per violation for companies, and likely public shaming.
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Biden has also strengthened an existing mandate for federal employees and contractors, who have until Dec. 8 to get vaccinated or give up their jobs. Weekly testing will not be an option.
Here are some of the key facts about the ETS for private-sector employers:
You can read the full text of the rules below, and here, and you’ll find a summary here.