Minnesota's OSHA hits two Twin Cities hospitals with penalties over COVID-19

Aug 24, 20200

Aaron Lavinsky – Star Tribune count

North Memorial health care workers waited for their next drive-up patient at a COVID-19 testing center behind the North Memorial Health Specialty Center in Robbinsdale on July 29. The hospital was cited by MNOSHA for failing to train workers to use a form of breathing protection called a powered air-purifying respirator.

State health and safety inspectors have penalized two Twin Cities hospitals for serious problems related to insufficient COVID-19 protections for front-line caregivers.

North Memorial Health Hospital in Robbinsdale and United Hospital in St. Paul were each hit with $2,100 citations after workers complained to the state about an array of allegedly unsafe practices related to breathing devices and other personal protective equipment (PPE).

All told, inspectors from Minnesota's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MNOSHA) have conducted unannounced site visits at seven Twin Cities hospitals for COVID-related complaints from workers since May 5.

https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-s-osha-hits-two-twin-cities-hospitals-with-penalties-over-covid-19/572201042/