OSHA announced last week that it has issued 204 citations so far relating to COVID-19 with total penalties of $2,856,533. As these penalties continue to climb, OSHA also issued new guidance to help employers understand which standards it most often cites relating to the pandemic.
The six-page guidance document and accompanying one-pager underscore that common issues have involved employer failures to:
- Provide a medical evaluation before a worker is fit-tested or uses a respirator.
- Properly fit-test workers using tight-fitting respirators.
- Assess the workplace to determine if COVID-19 hazards require using respirators or other personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Establish, implement, and update a written respiratory protection program with required worksite-specific procedures.
- Provide appropriate (including correct type and size) respirator or PPE when necessary.
- Train workers on safe respirator/PPE use and retrain as needed in case of workplace changes.
- Store respirators and other PPE properly to prevent damage or contamination.
- Record and/or report (as appropriate) work-related fatalities, injuries, and illnesses.