Cal/OSHA Cites and Fines Employers for COVID-19 Violations

The California Department of Industrial Relations recently issued a News Release (Number 2020-76) reporting that Cal/OSHA has cited and fined 11 employers for not protecting employees from Covid-19 exposure.  The employers were cited for various violations, including some classified as serious, with monetary penalties ranging from $2,025 to $51,190.

Although the industries involved were food processing, meatpacking, health care, agriculture, retail and not construction, it is nevertheless important to note that most of the citations for not protecting workers from exposure to Covid-19 were because the employers had not taken steps to update their workplace safety plans “to properly address hazards related to the virus”.

Other violations included not ensuring that workers were physically distanced, not implementing procedures to screen employees and visitors arriving at the worksite and failing to take appropriate measures for employees who exhibited Covid-19 symptoms.

The point of this Memorandum is to remind our Contractors of the importance of keeping their Injury and Illness Prevention Program and Site Specific Health and Safety Plan updated to comply with the most recent guidance from Cal/OSHA and the Calif. Dept. of Public Health (CDPH). To facilitate this review, attached is the updated Cal/OSHA-CDPH Covid-19 General Checklist for Construction Employers.

Recent Posts

California’s Minimum Wage to Increase to $16.00 Per Hour on January 1, 2024

California law mandates that the minimum wage be increased in response to inflation. Specifically, California Labor Code section 1182.12 delegates authority to the Director of Finance to annually determine and certify to the Governor and State Legislature whether an adjustment…

October 2, 2023

Employers Are Not Liable For The Spread of Covid to Employees’ Household Members

The California Supreme Court unanimously ruled that employers owe no duty to prevent “take home” cases of Covid-19 and are not liable to nonemployees who contract Covid from employee household members who bring the virus home from the workplace. The…

September 26, 2023

Brunch Break

Join us in an opportunity to get to know your fellow WPCCA members for brunch at the beautiful Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach! This event will feature a presentation by Molly Burns, Environmental Affairs Manager at Dunn-Edwards, who…

August 3, 2023

WPCCA 2023 Mid-Year Legislative Update

California State Legislature has crossed the midway point of the 2022 Legislative Session. Legislators had until June 2nd to move legislation out of their house of origin. Bills that did not clear that hurdle must be shelved for the year….

July 25, 2023

WPCCA Construction Contracts 101 Webinar Series: Private Works Remedies

This 2 part webinar series on Construction Contracts will provide an overview on construction contracts and means to mitigate risks for contractors and subcontractors engaging in public and private works. Join our part 2 webinar on Private Works Remedies presented…

July 11, 2023
MORE STORIES