By Dan Hounsell

OSHA has cited the owner-operator of four Rhode Island medical facilities for failing to protect workers from exposure to the coronavirus and implement proper safety measures after six employees tested positive for the virus in the fall of 2020.

OSHA investigators found the owner of North Providence Urgent Care Inc., North Providence Primary Care Associates Inc., Center of New England Urgent Care Inc. and Center of New England Primary Care Inc. willfully exposed employees to the coronavirus. The agency determined the owner continued to interact with workers and did not fully implement safeguards after he exhibited symptoms of the virus and later tested positive.

The owner and his companies face a proposed fine of $136,532 for failing to:

• Implement engineering controls, such as portable high-efficiency particulate air fan filtration systems, and barriers between adjacent desks;
• Implement administrative controls, such as cleaning and disinfecting, and symptom screening of all employees; and
• Mandate contact tracing or quarantine periods after employee exposure to coronavirus-exposed patients.