Search

Grocery Store Faces $10K in OSHA COVID-19 and Workplace Safety Violations

Posted on 12/2/2021 by Lauren Scott

A grocery store in Milledgeville, GA has been issued a civil penalty by OSHA for alleged shortcomings in coronavirus and amputation safety protocols.

The Georgia grocery store was investigated as part of OSHA’s National Emphasis Program (NEP) for COVID-19. Launched on March 12, 2021, OSHA’s coronavirus NEP is intended to help protect high-risk workers from hazards related to COVID-19 exposure. The NEP expands upon existing inspection provisions, with an emphasis on non-healthcare facilities, such as meat/poultry processing plants, chemical manufacturers, warehouses, and agricultural sites.

During the OSHA inspection, the agency identified several alleged safety violations, including failure to develop and implement timely and effective measures to mitigate the spread of coronavirus and worker exposure to amputation hazards by failing to provide adequate guarding on a meat cutter band saw.

As a result, OSHA issued $9,362 in civil penalties to the grocer. The company has 15 business days from receipt of its 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.
 

6th Circuit Requested to Dissolve Stay on OSHA Vax-or-Test ETS

The Biden Administration submitted a motion to dissolve the stay on OSHA’s vaccination-or-testing standard on November 23.

The Administration argues that the Fifth Circuit’s decision to stay the vax-or-test ETS lacked sufficient rationale, writing “Congress charged OSHA with addressing grave dangers in the workplace, without any carve-out for viruses or dangers that also happen to exist outside the workplace.” 

The US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit (in Cincinnati) was selected by lottery to hear a challenge to the ETS, which would require large employers to implement a vaccination-or-testing program for employees.
OSHA has stayed implementation and enforcement of the ETS until legal challenges are resolved.
 

COVID-19 Safety Awareness Online Training

Lion launched the COVID-19 Employee Safety Awareness Online Course to help US workplaces operate safely during the pandemic. As facilities continue to expand operations, 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. 
Find more resources to help your facility protect employees from COVID-19 at Lion.com/COVID19.
 

Tags: COVID-19, enforcement, fines, osha, penalties, safety, workplace safety

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

Well designed and thorough program. Excellent summary of requirements with references. Inclusion of regulations in hard copy form, as well as full electronic with state pertinent regulations included is a great bonus!

Oscar Fisher

EHS Manager

Lion is my preferred trainer for hazmat and DOT.

Jim Jani

Environmental Coordinator

The online course was well thought out and organized, with good interaction between the student and the course.

Larry Ybarra

Material Release Agent

Our instructor was very dynamic and kept everyone's interest. Hazmat shipping can be a dry, complicated topic but I was engaged the entire time.

Kimberly Arnao

Senior Director of EH&S

I have attended other training providers, but Lion is best. Lion is king of the hazmat jungle!!!

Henry Watkins

Hazardous Waste Technician

The instructor was very very informative, helpful, understandable and pleasant. This course answered many questions I had, being new to this industry.

Frances Mona

Shipping Manager

The instructor was probably the best I ever had! He made the class enjoyable, was humorous at times, and very knowledgeable.

Mary Sue Michon

Environmental Administrator

I will never go anywhere, but to Lion Technology.

Dawn Swofford

EHS Technician

I used the IT support number available and my issue was resolved within a few minutes. I don't see anything that could have made it better.

Danny Province

EHS Professional

The course was very well structured and covered the material in a clear, concise manner.

Ian Martinez

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

In-flight hazmat incidents can be disastrous. This guide gives 5 tips for first-time air shippers to consider before offering dangerous goods for transportation on passenger or cargo aircraft.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.