We need Cal-OSHA Training because we can get exposed to unknown diseases and infect others. Violations of OSHA standards can cost from $5,000 to $500,000.
We need to be trained in safely operating the health facility by the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal-OSHA) because we can get expose to unknown disease (such as COVID-19), bodily fluids and waste; we are responsible for frail and needy seniors; we could also infect other staff members; we need to meet requirements in running the facility safely; and we work with flammable and hazardous cleaning chemicals.
One such resource is Cal/OSHA Training from Community Care Options. From this training you can learn to prepare your staff for inspections; the required materials to be Cal-OSHA compliant and how to stay compliant; find out about facility safety and how to run an efficient compliant program. Click here to purchase.
Cal/OSHA Training details in six categories:
- General Workplace Safety
- Back and Lifting Safety
- Bloodborne Pathogens, HIV, Hepatitis and Standard Procedures
- Personal Protective Equipment
- Workplace Violence
- Fire, Chemical & Electrical Safety.
General Workplace Safety are detailed on timeliness, proper response to injury and accident, safety protocols, issues and preventive measures against job hazards, and recognizing the symptoms of cumulative trauma disorder on the job.
Back and Lifting Safety demonstrates to operators the proper methods in handling the patient and avoiding injury to both operator and patient while doing it. Focus on perfecting these techniques and augmenting it with different tools.
Bloodborne Pathogen, HIV, Hepatitis and Standard Procedures educates operator medical concepts essential to the proper execution of the job. As well as measures for prevention, safety and protection like personal protective equipment (PPE) and how to avoid hazardous situations. It identifies the kind of infectious diseases, the at-risk and how infection can happen.
Personal Protective Equipment dwells deeper into PPE. OSHA requires employers to provide PPE at no cost to employees. These include: OSHA-approved gown, gloves, mask, face shield, head and shoe cover. When and how to use PPEs and even tools. Focus on the proper sequence to wear and remove PPEs and what to do after.
Workplace Violence enumerates the different violence that occur in facilities, their root cause and measures to prevent them. Focus on the three-stage strategy before violence can occur. Included is a discussion on unwanted sexual attention communicated both verbally or other ways. Also discussed are flags that should get the manager’s attention and what he should do about the situation.
Fire, Chemicals and Electrical Safety flags the instructor to custom-make the training according to the facility; to familiarize operators with the specific emergency equipment, alarms and exits; It also deals with extinguishers, smoke alarms, fire drills, checking out electrical appliances and circuits. Focus is on the proper order of rescue and recognizing and knowing the properties of the chemicals in the facility. An OSHA-specified eye wash station is also required in corrosive chemicals are used. When OSHA adopted the Globally Harmonized System of classification and labelling of chemicals (GHS) Hazard Communication Standard, the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) was replaced by the Safety Data Sheet (SDS). The SDS or formerly MSDS reveals the ingredients of chemicals, characteristics, health hazards and measures to limit the danger.
One important thing to note is that even if operators don’t know a specific OSHA standard has been violated, the filed complaint for the violation is valid and citation can still proceed. It starts with an inspection. An inspection can be triggered by: an employee complaint, a public complaint, Workers Comp. Mod. Rate above 125 percent or an injury.
Also, Cal-OSHA standards are independent of Federal OSHA standards. There are some standards unique to California and this has consequently resulted in higher number of violations than in any other state. Furthermore, legislation and enforcement change frequently, proving to be even more burdensome to home care owners through the years.
Below is a broad coverage of OSHA violations and penalties, according to USLegal.com.
When a violation can lead to death or physical harm that the employer knew or should have known carries a mandatory penalty of up to $7,000 for each occurrence.
When a violation occurs relating to workplace safety or health that would unlikely cause serious physical harm or death carries a discretionary fine of up to $7,000.
When an employer intentionally commits a violation or even though aware of hazardous condition and makes no reasonable effort to eliminate it, the act carries a penalty of not less than $5,000. If the violation causes an employee’s death, the court can impose a fine of up to $250,000 per individual and/or imprisonment of up to six months. For a corporation, a fine of up to $500,000 may be imposed.
Repeated violations can be fined up to $70,000 each.
Failure to correct prior violation can be fined up to $7,000 if it is prolonged beyond abatement date.