Cal/OSHA issues over $150K in fines for COVID-19 violations

The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health cited four employers for more than $150,000 in fines for allegedly failing to protect workers from COVID-19, the Oakland-based agency announced Tuesday.

Cal/OSHA proposed penalties of $102,550 against Los Angeles-based garment manufacturer Los Angeles Apparel Inc. after reports of a COVID-19 outbreak at its factory, which the agency said included six workers who died from COVID-19 complications.

Cal/OSHA accused the company of “intentionally” failing to report the fatalities, and issued the garment manufacturer six serious, one willful, three regulatory and seven general violations, which included a failure to evaluate coronavirus hazards, a lack of physical distancing or barriers and a lack of employee training on COVID-19 prevention.

The agency also cited the California Prison Industry Authority for $24,300 for deficiencies in its aerosol transmissible diseases and respiratory protection programs; Erickson Framing CA LLC for $18,000 for failing to enforce the use of face coverings and social distancing at two worksites; and Integrated Pain Management Medical Group for $9,450 for deficiencies in its respiratory program and failing to implement a COVID-19 screening procedure.

More insurance and workers compensation news on the coronavirus crisis here.