Cal/OSHA Issues Citations to Multiple Employers for COVID-19 Violations Oakland
If you think OSHA isn't actively pursuing companies on Covid 19 requirements....think again!
Oakland—Cal/OSHA has cited multiple employers for not protecting workers from COVID-19 following inspections in various industries throughout the state. Violations were identified in industries including construction, garment, correctional institutions and medical. Cal/OSHA opened the inspections after learning of COVID-19 fatalities and illnesses, and after receiving complaints. The full list of employers cited for COVID-19 violations is posted on Cal/OSHA’s website.
The employers cited for COVID-19 violations include but are not limited to:
Los Angeles Apparel, Inc.
Garment Manufacturer
Los Angeles
Fatality
California Prison Industry Authority
Correctional Institutions
Vacaville
Accident
Integrated Pain Management Medical Group, Inc.
Medical Practice
San Leandro
Accident
Erickson Framing CA LLC
Construction
Fairfield
Complaint
Erickson Framing CA LLC
Construction
Vacaville
Complaint
*Proposed penalties for all violations cited, including those related to COVID-19
The inspection at the Los Angeles Apparel factory occurred after reports of an outbreak, including six employees who died from COVID-19 complications. Cal/OSHA determined that Los Angeles Apparel intentionally did not report the COVID-19 fatalities. Cal/OSHA cited the employer for six serious, one willful-regulatory, three regulatory and seven general violations. One of the serious violations was failure to evaluate COVID-19 hazards, such as the lack of physical distancing or barriers to separate employees operating sewing machines. Another serious violation was the lack of employee training on preventing COVID-19 infection in the workplace.
An inspection was opened at the California Prison Industry Authority in Vacaville after the employer reported the serious illness of an employee hospitalized for COVID-19 complications, and another employee tested positive for the virus. Cal/OSHA cited the employer for three serious violations after finding deficiencies in its Aerosol Transmissible Diseases (ATD) and respiratory protection programs that exposed employees to COVID-19 infection.
Also cited for two COVID-19 related serious violations was Integrated Pain Management Medical Group, a San Leandro-based medical practice. Cal/OSHA opened an accident inspection following a report of an employee who was hospitalized for COVID-19 complications. The employer was cited after Cal/OSHA found that it failed to implement an effective employee COVID-19 screening procedure and that it had deficiencies in its respiratory protection program.
Cal/OSHA cited the Roseville-based framing contractor Erickson Framing CA, LLC following two COVID-19 complaint-based inspections at worksites in Vacaville and Fairfield. At the Vacaville site, the Cal/OSHA inspector found that the employer was not enforcing the use of face coverings or physical distancing between employees. In a subsequent inspection at the Fairfield worksite a month later, the Cal/OSHA inspector again found the same hazards: a lack of physical distancing and failure to require the use of face coverings. Cal/OSHA cited the employer for a serious violation in each instance for the employer’s failure to effectively establish, implement and maintain procedures to correct unhealthy conditions related to COVID-19 that affected its employees, including its failure to enforce face covering use and physical distancing for COVID-19 prevention.
To assist employers with understanding their requirements to protect workers from COVID-19, Cal/OSHA has created guidance and resources. This includes a model written COVID-19 Prevention Program, COVID-19 information page and free webinars for certain industries from Cal/OSHA Consultation Services.
Compliance & Safety First also helps protect workers from health and safety hazards on the job in almost every workplace in California. We are Cal/OSHA certified COVID 19 Training for California Employers and Workers and would be happy to help you and your business. Employers and workers who have questions or need assistance with workplace health and safety programs can contact Glenn Salter from Compliance & Safety First at 909-481-7222 or email to:
Glenn@Complianceandsafetyfirst.com
