Public Health Underscores the Importance of Workplace Compliance

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health or Public Health has confirmed 16 new deaths and 652 new cases of confirmed COVID-19.  To date, Public Health has identified 261,446 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 6,366 deaths. The number of cases and deaths reported today reflect a weekend reporting lag.

There is significant potential for transmission of COVID-19 at workplaces, making it critically important for employers to adhere to the workplace protocols that require infection control, distancing, masking, and appropriate PPE for all workers.  This is particularly important since after work, many of us go home to family members and other people we live with, some of whom may be at higher risk for becoming seriously ill from COVID-19. 

Public Health’s compliance team continues to visit businesses across the county every day. Inspectors review county reopening protocols with business owners and ensure they are familiar with all requirements related to disinfection, the use of face coverings, physical distancing, and any other modifications and employee protections. Compliance inspections are focused on educating business owners and workers about how to stay safe but can result in citations for non-compliance where businesses are in violation of the Health Officer Order and protocols.

As a result of inspections conducted since Aug. 30, 46 citations have been issued to 25 establishments.In early September, the County launched the Safety Compliance Certificate Program that allows businesses to complete an on-line training and self-certify that they are fully implementing the required COVID-19 Protocols to make their workplace as safe as possible. The training is free and is found on the Public Health website, www.publichealth.lacounty.gov