OSHA Issues First Penalty Related to COVID-19

OSHA said Friday it issued its first citation in the U.S. related to the coronavirus outbreak. A Georgia nursing home was cited for delayed reporting regarding the hospitalization of six infected workers.

The citation, dated May 18, states that Winder Nursing Inc., which operates a nursing home in Winder, Georgia, failed to report to OSHA within 24 hours the work-related hospitalizations of six employees. OSHA said the workers were hospitalized around April 19, but the agency wasn’t notified until May 5.

“During these historic times, OSHA will continue working to protect workers, including those in high-risk industries,” Kurt A. Petermeyer, OSHA’s regional administrator in Atlanta, said in a statement.