OSHA Cites Nursing Company for Failing to Protect Employees From COVID

Wednesday, July 22, 2020 | 0

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined an Ohio nursing company $40,482 for not protecting its employees from COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.

OSHA said it inspected three facilities operated by OHNH EMP LLC after the company reported the coronavirus-related hospitalization of seven employees. The workplace safety agency said it cited each location for failing to develop a comprehensive written respiratory protection program and failing to provide medical evaluations to determine employees' ability to use a respirator in the workplace.

Facilities OSHA inspected include Pebble Creek Healthcare Center in Akron, Salem West Healthcare Center and Salem North Healthcare Center in Salem.

OSHA also issued a Hazard Alert Letter regarding the company's practice of allowing N95 respirator use for up to seven days and not conducting initial fit testing.

"OSHA's investigation found that, although the company was making efforts to protect its employees from the coronavirus, it had not fully implemented an appropriate respiratory protection program," OSHA Cleveland Area Office Director Howard Eberts said in a statement.

OHNH EMP LLC has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.