List Reveals Top COVID-19 Citations by Employers

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a document late last year to assist employers with compliance of COVID-19 related inspections. Healthcare Facilities Today reveals the OSHA standards that have resulted in the most employer citations during these inspections.  

The inspections were conducted based on data from complaints, referrals, or fatalities in several industries including health care, long-term care, and meat/poultry processing facilities. OSHA published the data so “employers can better ensure that they are adequately protecting workers” and “increase compliance with OSHA requirements.”

The most frequent employer citations included nonadherence to:

• The respiratory protection standard, including failing to provide a medical evaluation before a worker is fit-tested for a respirator; failing to establish, implement, and update a written respiratory protection program; and failing to train workers on the correct use of respirators and other personal protective equipment (PPE)
• The recording and reporting of occupational injuries and illnesses, including failing to keep required records of work-related fatalities, injuries, and illnesses
• Proper PPE protocol, including improperly storing respirators and other PPE leading to contamination, and failing to assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present that require the use of PPE
• The General Duty Clause, including failing to provide a place of employment that is free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees.

OSHA has provided a one-page document with tips to help employers remain compliant with COVID-19 protocols.