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Union demanding OSHA investigate Nevada hospitals for lack of personal protective equipment

Posted at 1:21 PM, Apr 24, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-24 16:21:47-04

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1107 says it has filed legal demands that the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) begin investigations of Nevada hospitals on the grounds of insufficient personal protection equipment (PPE) and unsafe protocols and procedures that are in direct violation of OSHA regulations and federal law that are putting frontline workers lives in jeopardy.

From the very beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, SEIU 1107 leadership says it has been in constant contact with members, employees, and employers to ascertain and adjudicate the protocols and procedures being implemented in workplaces to ensure safe and sanitary working conditions and adequate PPE is being afforded to all employees. Unfortunately, SEIU 1107 counsel has documented multiple violations to OSHA regulations and federal law and has presented those complaints to the Nevada OSHA office. The violations cited range from the forced reusing of PPE materials, violations of the Ryan White Law, and employees having to treat COVID-19 positive patients with little or no procedures in place to protect those employee’s families and loved ones upon returning home from work.

“From the beginning of this outbreak CDC guidelines for us have been the floor, not the ceiling. Hospitals know how to keep patients, employees, and communities safe. The mission statement of OSHA is to ensure that workers work in safe and healthful working conditions. It sets and enforces standards to provide men and women the training, outreach, education, and assistance required to keep them safe and healthy at their jobs. We expect OSHA to follow through on their own self-imposed standards and immediately begin in-person visits to all SEIU-represented worksites to make sure that they meet the highest standards of health and safety.” Grace Vergara-Mactal, SEIU Local 1107 Executive Director said.