COVID-19 Deaths and Hospitalizations of Healthcare Workers Prompt OSHA Inspections Ramp-up
Responding to the number of healthcare worker deaths and hospitalizations related to COVID-19, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently opened 15 more healthcare inspections. OSHA performed at least 70 inspections from March 15 through April 23 in response to a directive issued April 13. https://www.osha.gov/memos/2020-04-13/interim-enforcement-response-plan-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19
That OSHA directive placed a high priority on inspections of nursing home and hospital facilities related to COVID-19 “complaints, referrals, and employer-reported fatalities and hospitalizations to identify potentially hazardous occupational exposures and to ensure that employers take prompt actions to mitigate hazards and protect employees.”
Initial complaints were related to a lack of PPE (personal protective equipment) such as N95 masks, gloves, and gowns, and about employers not following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
The president of the Health Professionals and Allied Employees union, who is also a nurse, recommended that anyone sending a complaint to OSHA should carefully document the issues by including incident reports and worker statements.
A California industry-side attorney reiterated that businesses also need to document their efforts to comply with OSHA rules and guidance.
While OSHA does not have a rule specifically for the Coronavirus, it does have requirements for PPE and training. Some states do have rules for protecting workers from airborne transmissible diseases like COVID-19.
Compliance Perspective
Failure to implement CDC guidelines and respond to OSHA’s directive for protecting healthcare workers from airborne transmissible diseases like COVID-19 by providing appropriate PPE and training may result in placing healthcare workers at risk for hospitalizations and even death, and triggering an OSHA inspection.
Discussion Points:
- Review policies and procedures regarding state and federal CDC and OSHA guidelines for protecting healthcare workers from potentially hazardous occupational exposure to transmissible diseases like COVID-19.
- Train staff members on the use of PPE, handwashing, and disposal of used PPE, and how to report and document non-compliance concerns to OSHA.
- Periodically audit to ensure that healthcare workers are being provided with appropriate PPE and training regarding protocols for adhering to the facility’s infection control plan, including handwashing, proper PPE fit, and wearing of PPE.
