Health care facility fined $38K over coronavirus hazard
Reprints
An inspection by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration at a rehabilitation and post-acute care facility in Byron, Illinois, found the health care facility did not comply with federal respiratory protection requirements in its quarantine area and failed to protect workers from coronavirus hazards.
OSHA found that Generations at Neighbors LLC, operator of six similar facilities in Illinois and Indiana, failed to implement critical elements of OSHA’s National Emphasis Program for Coronavirus and the Emergency Temporary Standard for Health Care. OSHA cited four serious health violations during its Aug. 10 inspection and has proposed $38,620 in penalties.
OSHA found Generations at Neighbors did not ensure its coronavirus prevention plan included policies and procedures to minimize the risk of transmission for each employee. Violations were issued for failure to ensure proper use of respiratory protection, conduct thorough hazard assessments, maintain social distancing and physical barriers, and determine employees’ vaccination status.
Read Next
-
OSHA cites warehouse after 23 workers contract COVID-19
An Illinois warehouse was cited by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration for alleged violations of the general duty clause after 23 workers came down with COVID-19 several days after gathering at a facility breakroom for a luncheon.
