OSHA Levies Penalties for Workplace COVID-19 Violations

OSHA has levied nearly a half-million dollars in fines against U.S. employers for coronavirus violations since the start of the pandemic.

The agency said it has cited more than 30 establishments for violations and proposed penalties totaling $484,069.

Among the violations OSHA inspectors have found include failures to: 

• Implement a written respiratory protection program
• Provide a medical evaluation, respirator fit test, training on the proper use of a respirator, and personal protective equipment
• Report an injury, illness or fatality
• Record an injury or illness on OSHA recordkeeping forms
• Comply with General Duty Clause of OSHA regulations

One Connecticut employer, Natchaug Hospital Inc., of Mansfield, was cited for recordkeeping and respirator violations, according to OSHA, which proposed initial penalties of $13,494.

OSHA said the status of the case is “pending abatement of violations.”

More than a dozen New Jersey employers were cited, as were six from New York.

OSHA has taken several steps to address issues raised by the pandemic, including adjusting its respiratory protection standards due to a shortage of personal protective equipment, and temporarily changing its enforcement methods to protect inspectors.

The agency urges employers to visit its COVID-19 website regularly for resources to help them comply with these standards.

For more information, contact CBIA’s Phillip Montgomery (860.244.1982).