Covid-19 OSHA Complaint • Report Issues. Protect your community. • Safely HQ (2024)

FAQs

What does OSHA say about COVID-19 in the workplace? ›

Best practices include conducting a workplace risk assessment for potential COVID-19 exposure, preparing a response plan, and taking steps to improve ventilation. In areas with substantial or high transmission, employers should provide face coverings for all workers, as appropriate, regardless of vaccination status.

Review the OSHA standards cited in the letter, investigate the allegations, determine if the allegations are true, and if so, move to correct the hazard. Draft a reply letter than states the facts about the alleged hazard and the steps you have taken to correct it. Collect and submit supporting documentation.

If you file a complaint, OSHA will contact you to determine whether to conduct an investigation. You must respond to OSHA's follow-up contact or your complaint will be dismissed. A whistleblower complaint filed with OSHA cannot be filed anonymously.

If you believe working conditions are unsafe or unhealthful, we recommend that you bring the conditions to your employer's attention. At any time, a worker may file a complaint with OSHA to report a hazardous working condition and request an inspection.

Physical distancing means maintaining a distance of at least six feet from other people. safe physical distancing while working. ◦ Stay behind Plexiglas or other impermeable barriers where physical distancing is not possible. ◦ Stagger break and lunch times.

Workers should stay home unless they need medical care.

With a Safety and Health Complaint, you can: File your complaint online, by phone or letter. Submit your oral or written complaint in any language. File your complaint anonymously. Allow someone to file for you.

Cal/OSHA will decide how to respond based on the information in the complaint, including the description of the hazards. Generally, Cal/OSHA conducts onsite inspections for complaints of serious and imminent hazards.

Can I be fired for complaining to OSHA? ›

It is illegal for an employer to fire, demote, transfer or otherwise retaliate against a worker who complains to OSHA and uses their legal rights. If you believe you have been retaliated against in any way, file a whistleblower complaint within 30 days of the alleged retaliation.

If the condition clearly presents a risk of death or serious physical harm, there is not sufficient time for OSHA to inspect, and, where possible, you have brought the condition to the attention of your employer, you may have a legal right to refuse to work in a situation in which you would be exposed to the hazard.

A. Right to a Safe & Healthful Workplace

If a hazard cannot be removed completely, protection (for example, respirators or earplugs) must be provided. Some examples of a safe/healthful workplace include: Fall protection and training are provided and required when working at high levels on a construction site.

Workplace safety evaluation, education, and enforcement are known as the “Three E's” of workplace safety and will help you familiarize yourself with safety protocols from start to finish.

You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use medicine that reduces fevers) AND. Other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved) AND. At least seven days have passed since your symptoms first appeared.

If symptoms appear, stay home until all of the following apply: 1. They have been fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever reducing medications) and 2. Their other symptoms have improved and 3. It has been at least 10 days since their symptom onset If employee is tested, stay home until test results return.

Any suspected COVID-19 outbreak must be reported to LAC DPH using one of the following methods: Online at https://redcap.link/lac-covid. Or by phone. Call (888) 397-3993 or (213) 240-7821.

OSHA recommends that healthcare workers with exposure to suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients wear: Gloves. Gowns. Eye/face protection (e.g., goggles, face shield)