The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited more than 200 employers for coronavirus-related violations, with penalties totaling nearly $3 million.
OSHA also issued advice to employers about lessons learned based on the most common violations it has found so far during the pandemic. Employers have most frequently failed to follow requirements that deal with respiratory protection, personal protective equipment (PPE), and record-keeping and reporting obligations.
Among these requirements are:
· Provide a medical evaluation before a worker is fit-tested or uses a respirator
· Perform appropriate fit test for workers using tight-fitting respirators
· Assess the workplace to determine if COVID-19 hazards are present or likely to be present
· Establish, implement, and update a written respiratory protection program with required worksite-specific procedures
· Provide an appropriate respirator and/or other PPE to each worker when necessary to protect the health of employees (ensuring the respirator and/or PPE used is the correct type and size)
· Train workers to safely use respirators and/or other PPE in the workplace, and retrain workers about changes in the workplace that might make previous training obsolete
· Store respirators and other PPE properly in a way to protect them from damage, contamination, and, where applicable, deformation of the face piece and exhalation valve
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Dec 14, 2018
Emissions for buildings and construction have peaked, UN says
Greener buildings have led to leveling off of GHGs.
Codes and Standards | Dec 13, 2018
Urban flooding causing economic loss, social disruption, and housing inequality
Extensive suburban development, aging and poorly maintained infrastructure, and more intense rainfall mean more flooding.
Codes and Standards | Dec 12, 2018
California’s transportation problems could prevent state from reaching carbon reduction goals
Governor’s carbon neutral-by-2045 ambitions at odds with car culture.
Codes and Standards | Dec 11, 2018
Strict seismic building codes credited with minimizing damage in Alaskan earthquake
Magnitude 7.0 temblor cracked roads and collapsed road ramps, but buildings held up well.
Codes and Standards | Dec 7, 2018
Florida tops ABC’s 2018 Merit Shop Scorecard rankings
Michigan rose fastest after passing prevailing wage law.
Codes and Standards | Dec 6, 2018
North American steel yields lower GHG emissions than Chinese steel
North American construction steel saves about half of GHG emissions on building project.
Codes and Standards | Dec 5, 2018
Canadian retailer builds net-zero stores
Other chains also boost green efforts with PVs, EV charging stations.
Codes and Standards | Dec 4, 2018
Action on building codes would spur low-carbon cities
Faster retrofit cycles, increased energy-efficiency requirements for existing buildings needed.
Codes and Standards | Nov 30, 2018
Best solution to prevent California wildfire disasters: Stop building in places likely to burn
Approach would be unpopular as people attracted to stunning wooded landscapes.
Codes and Standards | Nov 29, 2018
USGBC and BRE form partnership
Two green standards groups will collaborate on standards, platforms, and research.