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From the American Institute of Healthcare Compliance

Owner and His Medical Practices Face OSHA Penalties Due to Lack of Coronavirus Precautions

An owner and his medical practices face penalties for willfully exposing employees to coronavirus, according to an OSHA news release from the U.S. Department of Labor.

OSHA investigators found the owner of North Providence Urgent Care Inc., North Providence Primary Care Associates Inc., Center of New England Urgent Care Inc. and Center of New England Primary Care Inc. willfully exposed employees to the coronavirus. The agency determined the owner continued to interact with workers and did not fully implement safeguards after he exhibited symptoms of the virus and later tested positive.

The owner and his companies face a proposed fine of $136,532 for failing to:

• Implement?engineering controls, such as portable high-efficiency particulate air fan/filtration systems, and barriers between adjacent desks;
• Implement administrative controls, such as cleaning and disinfecting, and symptom screening of all employees; and
• Mandate?contact tracing?or?quarantine periods?after employee exposure to coronavirus-exposed patients.

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

“This employer placed workers and others at risk of contracting the coronavirus. Employers have a responsibility to isolate workers and themselves if they show symptoms of the virus,” said OSHA Area Director Robert Sestito in Providence, Rhode Island. “Protecting employees and patients by implementing timely and effective safeguards and controls to minimize exposure is critical to mitigating the spread of the virus.”

• OSHA’s COVID-19 Resources
• June 10, 2021 OSHA Posting – How to Protect Workers
• OSHA COVID-19 National Emphasis Program