U.S. Department of Labor’s OSHA Announces $1,222,156 In Coronavirus Violations

Since the start of the COVD-19 pandemic though October 8, 2020, OSHA has given out citations to 85 establishments for violations in relation to the coronavirus. As a result of this volume of citations, the amount of proposed penalties totals $1,222,156.

Following inspections of business by OSHA, employers have been cited for many violations for the following:

Failure to implement a written respiratory protection program;
Failure to provide a medical evaluation, respirator fit test, training on proper use of a respirator and personal protective equipment;
Failure to Report an injury, illness, or fatality;
Failure to record an injury or illness on OSHA recordkeeping forms; and
Failure to comply with the General Duty Clause of the Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1970.

Between October 1, 2020 and October 8, 2020, OSHA implemented citations to 23 of the 85 establishments that were written up for one or more of the coronavirus related failures listed above. These citations totaled to $309, 023. OSHA provides more information about individual citations, and periodically updates the information, on its Establishment Search website. A full list of what standards were cited, as well as the inspection number, are available at OSHA’s Inspection with COVID-related Citations website.

Employers are subject to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, which makes them responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to enforce these provisions provided by the Act to ensure workplace conditions are maintained to these standards. OSHA further provides training, education, and assistance necessary to enforce these provisions. Likewise, the Department of Labor’s mission is to foster, promote, and develop welfare of workers, job seekers, and retirees of the United States. Specifically, they look to improve working conditions, advance opportunities for profitable employment, and assure work-related benefits and rights.

For help with OSHA matters, including coronavirus-related citations, please call (312) 894-3322 or fill out our contact form.