FILE YOUR OSHA COMPLAINT

Local 609 in Indianapolis has seen success in filing OSHA complaints on the VA’s lack of a response regarding COVID. When OSHA issues a citation at one location, they expect VA Headquarter to act and fix these issues nationwide. If the locals file more complaints and concentrate on the same issues addressed in these Citations, OSHA will consider it a repeat. AFGE’s Field Services recommends that VA locals check to see if they have the same violations. If you do, the Local should file a complaint ASAP and use the citations attached as a tool to draft their complaints.

Below is an example of what you should write, or use similar language.

The Agency at (Put Location) Is violating 29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1) The VA has failed to assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). The spread of COVID 19 at this location to many of the employees demonstrate the lack of action by the agency. We believe the lack of the PPE initially and currently has resulted in the death of more than 50 VA employees nationwide. Since the hazards are present, the VA continued violations to provide sufficient PPE to the affected employee. At this location we had

(Place how many deaths occurred at your location)

(If there is no death please place the how many employees contracted COVID 19) Only employees not patients.

The Department of Veteran Affairs nationwide failed to control COVID19 Exposures, specifically (Put your location)[JM1] V.A. Medical Center had not selected and ensured affected employees used PPE, such as but not limited to, surgical masks and face shields to protect against contracting COVID-19. In the last 5-month PPE were not available to employees on a regular basis. The lack of PPE has been covered by multiple national media outlet.