OSHA has issued new guidance to help employers understand which standards are most frequently cited during coronavirus-related inspections. OSHA based these documents on data from citations issued, many of which were the result of complaints, referrals and fatalities in facilities that include hospitals, nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
The guidance provides available resources that address the most frequently cited standards, including respiratory protection, recording and reporting occupational injuries and illnesses, personal protective equipment (PPE), and the general duty clause. The one-pager provides examples of requirements employers must follow, such as these:
• Provide a medical evaluation before a worker is fit-tested or uses a respirator.
• Establish, implement and update a written respiratory protection program with required worksite-specific procedures.
• Train workers to safely use respirators and other PPE in the workplace, and retrain workers about changes in the workplace that might make previous training obsolete.
• Store respirators and other PPE properly in a way to protect them from damage, contamination, and, where applicable, deformation of the facepiece and exhalation valve.
• Keep required records of work-related fatalities, injuries and illness.
Dan Hounsell is editor of Facility Maintenance Decisions.
