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
| Apr 23, 2012
AAMA releases updated specification for anodized aluminum
AAMA 611-12 describes test procedures and requirements for high performance (Class I) and commercial (Class II) architectural quality aluminum oxide coatings applied to aluminum extrusions and panels for architectural products.
| Apr 19, 2012
Michigan legislature tackling controversial rules on electricians
A fight is brewing in the Michigan legislature over how many fully qualified electricians must be present during electrical work when apprentices also are on hand.
| Apr 19, 2012
Washington city may base building code on rising sea level due to global warming
Aberdeen may become the first city in Washington to base a building code on rising oceans and global warming.
| Apr 19, 2012
CSI webinar on energy codes and building envelopes
This seminar will review recent changes in energy codes, examples of building enclosure wall assemblies for code compliance, potential moisture management and durability challenges, and design tools to assess and minimize potential problems.
| Apr 19, 2012
Innovative plan for storm water in Philadelphia gets EPA’s OK
Philadelphia's $2 billion plan to manage its storm water with green methods including porous pavement, green roofs, and more trees, was officially approved last week by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
| Apr 19, 2012
LEED 2012 to include new credit category for transit-oriented development
The updated LEED 2012 system will introduce a new credit category, “Location and Transportation,” to encourage development oriented around public transit and more walkable communities.
| Apr 17, 2012
FMI report examines federal construction trends
Given the rapid transformations occurring in the federal construction sector, FMI examines the key forces accelerating these changes, as well as their effect on the industry.
| Apr 16, 2012
University of Michigan study seeks to create efficient building design
The result, the researchers say, could be technologies capable of cutting the carbon footprint created by the huge power demands buildings place on the nation’s electrical grid.
