OSHA Inspection: BIO WASTE SYSTEMS INC.

Issued

Aug 31, 1990

Abate by

Oct 5, 1990

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $600 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The
employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were
free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death
or serious physical harm to employee(s) in that employee(s) were exposed
to the hazards of working with blood and body fluids thus causing or
likely to cause employee exposure to and contraction of Hepatitis B
Virus (HBV) and/or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV):
a) 210 Sherwood Ave., Farmingdale, NY - Workers exposed include
supervisors, warehouse workers, technicians and truck driver; on or
about 6/28/90.
Feasible abatement methods for reducing this hazard, include, but are
not limited to:
TRAINING AND EDUCATION
Training and Education of employees such as, but not limited to,
supervisors, warehouse workers, technicians and truck drivers.
Such training and education shall be at the time of initial
employment and at least annually thereafter. The training materials
used shall be appropriate in content and vocabulary to educational
level, literacy, and language background of the employees being
trained.
The Training and Education Program shall contain as a minimum the
following elements:
i) A general explanation of the modes of transmission of bloodborne
pathogens;
ii) An explanation of the employer's Infection Control Program;
iii) An explanation of the appropriate methods for recognizing tanks
and other activities that may involve exposure to blood or body
fluids and other potentially infectious materials;
iv) An explanation of the use and limitations of work practices that
will prevent or reduce employee exposure, including appropriate
engineering controls, work practices and personal protective
equipment;
v) An explanation of the basis for selection of personal protective
equipment;
vi) Information on the Hepatitis B vaccination, including information
on its efficacy, safety and the benefits of being vaccinated;
vii) Information on the appropriate actions to be taken and the person
to contact in an emergency;
viii) An explanation of the procedure to follow if an exposure incident
occurs, including the method of reporting the incident and the
medical follow-up that will be made available;
ix) An explanation of the signs and labels and/or color coding used
in the workplace; and
x) A copy of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Guidelines.
WRITTEN INFECTION CONTROL PROGRAM
The employer shall desing and implement a written Infection Control
Program to minimize or eliminate employee exposure. This Infection
Control Program shall be reviewed and updated as necessary to reflect
significant changes in tasks or procedures. This program shall
contain as a minimum, the following:
i) A determination of the exposure potential of all employees;
ii) The schedule and method of implementation of the Infection Control
Program.
iii) Incorporate all the items contained in the employers Infection
Control Training and Information Program as it relates to
identification, evaluation and control of blood and exposure
to blood and body fluids.
The written Infection Control Program shall be made available to all
employees during the training program.
HEPATITIS B VACCINATION
The facility's infection control policy regarding Hepatitis B
vaccinations shall address all circumstances warranting such
vaccinations and shall identify employees at substantial risk of
directly contacting blood or body fluids.
All such employees shall be offered Hepatitis B vaccinations in
amounts and at time prescribed by standard medical practice.
FOLLOW-UP PROCEDURES AFTER POSSIBLE EXPOSURE TO HIV/HBV:
If an employee has a percutaneous (needle-stick or cut) or mucous
membrane (splash to eye, nasal mucosa, or mouth) exposure to blood
or body fluids or has a cutaneous exposure to blood or body fluids
when the worker's skin is chapped, abraded or otherwise nonintact.
The following procedures shall be followed:
a) The exposed employee(s) shall be evaluated clinically by HIV antibody
testing as soon as possible and advised to report and seek medical
evaluation of any acute febrile illness that occurs within 12 weeks
after exposure. HIV seronegative workers shall be retested 6 weeks
post-exposure and on a periodic basis thereafter (12 weeks and 6
months after exposure).
b) Follow-up procedures shall be taken for the employee(s) exposed or
potentially exposed to HBV. The type of procedures depends on the
immunization status of the worker (i.e., whether HBV vaccination has
been received and antibody response is adequate. The CDC Immunization
practices Advisory Committee has published its recommendations
regarding HBV post-exposure prophylaxis in table format in the June
5, 1985, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
c) If an employee(s) refuses to submit to the procedures in (a) or (b)
above, when such procedures are medically indicated, no adverse
action can be taken on that ground alone since the procedures are
designed for the benefit of the exposed employee.

Issued

Aug 31, 1990

Abate by

Sep 10, 1990

Penalty

Initial $70 · Current $35 Reduced