Cal/OSHA Cites Health Care Facilities for COVID-19 Violations
The facilities failed to comply with a standard that mandates proper respiratory protection for employees exposed to airborne diseases like coronavirus.
- By Nikki Johnson-Bolden
- Sep 25, 2020
Cal/OSHA cited six employers in the health care sector on September 22 for failing to protect their employees from coronavirus.
The employers, which include places such as Gateway Care & Rehabilitation Center and Sutter Bay Hospitals Davies Campus, received citations ranging from $2,060 to $32,000. They specifically violated the Aerosol Transmissible Diseases (ATD) standard that was adopted in 2009, which mandates proper respiratory protection in the case of exposure to airborne diseases.
“Workers in health care and public safety are at a higher risk of exposure to COVID-19 and employers must put in place measures to protect these essential personnel,” said Cal/OSHA Chief Doug Parker.
The employers also reportedly did not take steps to update workplace safety plans to fit the current state of the coronavirus pandemic.
Guidelines and information on how to protect employees from coronavirus are available at dir.ca.gov.
About the Author
Nikki Johnson-Bolden is an Associate Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety.