NJ Medical Facility Issued $273K COVID-19 Citation
OSHA recently cited a medical facility in Lakewood, NJ for allegedly failing to ensure the safety and health of nurses giving flu shots and testing potentially infectious patients for the coronavirus.
In response to a complaint, OSHA began investigating the facility in January. According to OSHA, the company worked with a staffing agency to provide temporary nurses to administer flu vaccines in late 2020 and then administer coronavirus testing through early 2021. At that time, the facility required nurses to administer about 200 to 300 coronavirus tests per day for patients and the public.
OSHA cited the company for two willful violations for alleged failure to provide medical evaluations to determine each employee's ability to use a respirator and failure to fit test employees required to wear respirators. OSHA proposed a civil penalty of $273,064.
The staffing agency was also cited by OSHA for similar violations and was issued a civil penalty of $13,653.
The employers have 15 business days from receipt of their citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Read more: OSHA Expands COVID-19 Inspections Under New NEP
The course prepares employees to:
In response to a complaint, OSHA began investigating the facility in January. According to OSHA, the company worked with a staffing agency to provide temporary nurses to administer flu vaccines in late 2020 and then administer coronavirus testing through early 2021. At that time, the facility required nurses to administer about 200 to 300 coronavirus tests per day for patients and the public.
OSHA cited the company for two willful violations for alleged failure to provide medical evaluations to determine each employee's ability to use a respirator and failure to fit test employees required to wear respirators. OSHA proposed a civil penalty of $273,064.
The staffing agency was also cited by OSHA for similar violations and was issued a civil penalty of $13,653.
The employers have 15 business days from receipt of their citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
OSHA Expands COVID-19 Inspections Under New NEP
To account for the latest information on COVID-19, vaccination guidance, and PPE availability, OSHA has revised its National Emphasis Program (NEP) on coronavirus-related safety inspections. The NEP now provides more details about inspections at healthcare and non-healthcare facilities.Read more: OSHA Expands COVID-19 Inspections Under New NEP
COVID-19 Safety Awareness Online Training
Lion launched the COVID-19 Employee Safety Awareness Online Course to help US workplaces re-open safely. As facilities nationwide begin to do so, it is crucial that employees know how to protect themselves and their co-workers from exposure to COVID-19.The course prepares employees to:
- Recognize signs, symptoms, and risk factors for COVID-19.
- Describe how the COVID-19 disease is transmitted.
- Follow recommended hygiene and work protocols to prevent exposure.
- Properly use and care for PPE and face coverings, when required.
Tags: coronavirus, COVID-19, employee safety, enforcement, fines, NJ, osha, penalties, safety, worker safety
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