As of mid-July, federal OSHA received more than 6,800 coronavirus-related complaints. Which industries and regions received the most?
An analysis by the Nexsen Pruet law firm, using data as of July 16, 2020, showed federal OSHA is receiving the most complaints from the healthcare industry.
Here’s the industry breakdown:
- Healthcare, including hospitals and nursing and residential care facilities: 1,840 complaints
- Retail trade, including grocery stores: 774 complaints
- Restaurants and other eating places: 294 complaints, and
- The U.S. Postal Service: 341 complaints.
Geographically, OSHA’s Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin) had the most complaints: 1,552.
Region 4 (Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee) also had a large number of complaints: 1,386.
As of July 16, 2020, state OSHAs reported 17,013 coronavirus-related complaints.
The complaints include:
- inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE)
- improper response planning, and
- noncompliance with guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health authorities.