California’s workplace safety agency has issued its first Covid-19 citations, nearly six months into the pandemic.
Proposed fines for 11 cited employers ranged from $51,190 to $2,025 and, in some cases, included penalties for violations unrelated to virus response, such as shortcomings in heat protection.
Stephen Knight, executive director of the worker advocacy group Worksafe Inc., said he had pressed the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health to begin issuing citations, as neighboring states have already done.
“It is very welcome to see this enforcement coming at last from Cal/OSHA on behalf of California workers facing pandemic conditions ...