“By law, you must have circulation of fresh air!” President of the Public Services Association, Watson Duke, referred to section 36 of the OSH Act, which specifically states that every occupier of an industrial establishment that is not ventilated with a functioning air condition system shall secure and maintain adequate and suitable ventilations by circulation of fresh air.

Duke urged employers to conduct air quality tests, as Covid-19 was now listed as an airborne virus. He said that sanitization by means of wiping furniture was not enough to prevent the spread of the virus.

“You ought to do air quality tests, you cannot put persons back in the building and say it sanitize. What are you using to sterilize the air?” asked Duke.

This followed one common complaint the Public Services Association (PSA) received from its membership; too many persons were being forced to work in environments where poor ventilation is of detrimental concern.

The complaints grew when it was announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that the Covid-19 virus was in fact an airborne virus. Subsequent to CDC’s discoveries, the fears of employees were intensified as many complained that their management was negligent in following the Covid-19 protocols, which could increase the possibility of mass contamination in the workplace.

Duke, in response to these complaints, took to his social media and informed membership and viewers alike on the law stipulated in the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OSHA), regarding matters of proper ventilation or lack there of in the workplace.

Reporter: Melissa Goodman