A Reminder for Employers to Follow COVID-19 Safety Guidelines
A Colorado-based insurance company is facing over $20,000 in OSHA penalties after an investigation determined they ignored COVID-19 safety rules such as social distancing, failure to implement a health and safety plan, and allowing employees displaying coronavirus symptoms to continue working on-site. Sadly, one employee died due to COVID-19. (The OSHA press release does not state if the coronavirus fatality is “work-related.”)
“OSHA has issued about 650 coronavirus-related citations since July 2020, with total initial penalties exceeding $4 million as of Oct. 1, according to the agency.” (source)
If you need assistance implementing a health and safety plan or have other questions regarding coronavirus’ impact on the workplace, contact the HRinDemand team.
In case you missed it, see OSHA to Mandate Vaccine and Testing Temporary Standard for COVID-19 and New COVID guidance from OSHA on the HRinDemand Blog.
Bailey Cummins, PHR, is a member of the HRinDemand team, a human resources company in Reno, NV, offering expert guidance and easy-to-use tools to help small businesses with employment regulations, compliance, employee relations, and company growth.
Sources:
Society for Human Resource Management. (2021, October 11). OSHA Cites Employer for COVID-19 Safety Violations After Worker’s Death. https://www.shrm.org/ResourcesAndTools/legal-and-compliance/employment-law/Pages/OSHA-Cites-Employer-for-COVID-19-Safety-Violations.aspx
United States Department of Labor. (2021, October 7). US Department of Labor cites insurance agency for exposing workers to coronavirus at Denver location where employee died with COVID-19 [press release].https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/region8/10072021