OSHA's Shortcomings During the Pandemic
A recent report by Reuters has chronicled how workers were struggling to have their complaints considered by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration. Reuters conducted an investigated that found that there were over 106 US workplaces where OSHA disregarded relaxed pandemic safety practices. Additionally, of the 106 US workplaces, 70 facilities were never inspected. The lack of inspection resulted in COVID-19 outbreaks that killed 26 workers. Furthermore, only 12 of the 106 workplaces mentioned in the article received a penalty. This highlights that Federal and state OSHA agencies have been conducting fewer workplace inspections during the pandemic than in previous years, even though workplace complaints have skyrocketed.
See "OSHA's Shortcomings During the Pandemic", Chris Kirkham, Benjamin Lesser, Reuters, January 11, 2021