Bottom Line on Top: Make it all about fitness for duty, rather than zero tolerance Although it may sound good, zero tolerance may not be the best foundation on which to build a legally enforceable … [Read more...]
Labs In Court
A roundup of recent cases and enforcement actions involving the diagnostics industry
October 8, 2020
Referral Arrangement Violates Kickback Laws Even If Even Only Purpose Is to Generate Illegal Referrals Case: The U.S. Attorney accused a Kentucky physician of taking a $105 per beneficiary payment … [Read more...]
Labs in Court
OSHA Fines New Jersey Hospital for Coronavirus Respiratory Protection Violations
October 8, 2020
Case: OSHA is proposing to fine the hospital $9,639 for two serious violations: i. Failure to fit test tight-fitting respirators face piece respirators on employees required to use them; and ii. Not … [Read more...]
Quiz
Lab’s Duty to Protect Returning Employees from COVID-19 Discrimination and Harassment
October 4, 2020
SITUATION Fully recovered from his bout with COVID-19, Max is thrilled and excited to return to his custodian job after 14 days of mandatory home isolation. But almost immediately, he senses that … [Read more...]
Tool
Telecommuter Home Office Hazard Assessment & Inspection Checklist
September 8, 2020
While not an OSHA obligation, it’s highly advisable to take measures to protect the health and safety of telecommuting lab employees who work from home. How? By having employees seeking approval to … [Read more...]
Compliance Perspectives
How to Create and Implement a Mandatory Face Mask Policy at Your Lab Facilities
August 7, 2020
What began as a CDC guideline is evolving into a legal duty with more than 20 states and countless municipalities across the country adopting laws requiring individuals to wear masks or face coverings … [Read more...]
TOOL
Model COVID-19 Exposure Control Plan
June 4, 2020
Regulators have made it clear that workplaces, including labs, must implement written plans to control COVID-19 exposure risks at the site. Here’s a Model Plan template your lab can adapt that … [Read more...]
Compliance Perspectives
How to Create a COVID-19 Exposure Control Plan
June 1, 2020
For as long as COVID-19 remains a threat, businesses—both essential and nonessential—won’t be allowed to re-open and remain open unless they implement a plan to control workplace infection risks. … [Read more...]
Compliance Perspectives
How to Create a Legally Sound COVID-19 Medical Screening Policy
April 27, 2020
As essential workplaces, testing labs need to remain open and operating during the pandemic. At the same time, they need to ensure that employees practice social distancing and keep the infected and … [Read more...]
MANAGING STAFF
Compliance Perspectives: How to Implement a Respiratory Protection Program at Your Lab
June 17, 2019
Worker exposure to infection and hazardous substances is a constant and pressing challenge for lab managers. And if yours is among the many labs where workers are required to use respirators, you face … [Read more...]
