The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited more than 200 employers for coronavirus-related violations, with penalties totaling nearly $3 million.
OSHA also issued advice to employers about lessons learned based on the most common violations it has found so far during the pandemic. Employers have most frequently failed to follow requirements that deal with respiratory protection, personal protective equipment (PPE), and record-keeping and reporting obligations.
Among these requirements are:
· Provide a medical evaluation before a worker is fit-tested or uses a respirator
· Perform appropriate fit test for workers using tight-fitting respirators
· Assess the workplace to determine if COVID-19 hazards are present or likely to be present
· Establish, implement, and update a written respiratory protection program with required worksite-specific procedures
· Provide an appropriate respirator and/or other PPE to each worker when necessary to protect the health of employees (ensuring the respirator and/or PPE used is the correct type and size)
· Train workers to safely use respirators and/or other PPE in the workplace, and retrain workers about changes in the workplace that might make previous training obsolete
· Store respirators and other PPE properly in a way to protect them from damage, contamination, and, where applicable, deformation of the face piece and exhalation valve
Related Stories
| Nov 16, 2012
AAMA publishes quality assurance guidelines for Polyamide Thermal Barriers
The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) has published QAG-2-12, Voluntary Quality Assurance Processing Guide for Polyamide Thermal Barriers.
| Nov 16, 2012
New ANSI/BIFMA standards developed for educational seating
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has approved the newly developed safety and performance standard for educational seating: ANSI/BIFMA X6.1-2012—the first of its kind.
| Nov 16, 2012
Green building councils in 62 countries expect 60% of their work to be green by 2015
More than half of the respondents to a survey of members of the Green Building Council in 62 countries expect green projects to comprise 60% of their work by 2015.
| Nov 16, 2012
Voters approve fewer construction ballot measures in 2012 than in 2008
Voters passed fewer ballot measures related to construction projects this year than they did in 2008, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America.
| Nov 9, 2012
New ANSI/BIFMA standard adds point for lower formaldehyde emissions
The ANSI/BIFMA e3-2012 Furniture Sustainability Standard now includes an additional point for furniture products that meet a new, lower formaldehyde emissions limit.
| Nov 9, 2012
Higher bar on LEED may not be harder to reach
The U.S. Green Building Council expects to substantially revise LEED next year, requiring builders beginning in 2015 to take new and more-detailed steps to get buildings certified.
| Nov 9, 2012
CSI’s sustainability practice group offers webinar on EPA's WaterSense Program
The Construction Specification Institute’s sustainability practice group is offering a webinar Nov. 20 on EPA’s WaterSense Program, featuring Lynn Gilleland, drinking water specialist with EPA’s New England office.
| Nov 9, 2012
Mayor in Calif. wants to expedite permits for $1B worth of projects
The mayor of San Jose, Calif., plans to issue new construction permits worth an estimated $1 billion in the next six months to spur job creation and create revenue for the city.
| Nov 9, 2012
Jury awards N.Y. roofer $2 million for injuries after construction site fall
A roofing worker from Cortland County, N.Y., has been awarded $2 million in damages due to the injuries he sustained from a 60-foot fall at a dormitory construction site.
