OSHA Inspection: SOUTHAMPTON HOSPITAL

Issued

Jan 12, 1990

Abate by

Mar 15, 1990

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $1,000

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Heath 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 employees in that employees were exposed to:
a) The hazards to employees working with blood and body fluids thus
causing or likely to cause employees exposure to and contraction of
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and/or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
Health care workers exposed include physicians, nurses, nursing
assistants, phlebotomists, medical technologists, technicians,
housekeeping and maintenance personnel on or about 7/21/89.
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,
physicians, pathologists, dentists, dental technicians, x-ray
technicians, phlebotomists, emergency room, intensive care and
operating nurses and technicians, laboratory and blood bank technicians
housekeeping personnel, laundry workers, orderlies, morticians,
research laboratory workers, paramedics and medical examiners. 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 tasks
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.
The CDC Immunization Practices Advisory Commitee has published its
recommendations regarding HBV post-exposure prophylaxis in table
format in the June 5, 1985, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
IV) If an employee refuses to submit to the procedures in (b) or (c)
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.
HANDLING OF LINEN
The Infection Control Program shall have identified all laundry
operations involving substantial risk of direct exposure to blood or
body fluids. Linen soiled with blood or body fluids shall be handled
as little as possible and with minimum agitation to prevent
contamination of the person handling the linen.
All soiled linen shall be bagged at the location where is was used: It
shall not be sorted or rinsed in patient-care areas. Soiled lined shall
be placed and transported in bags that prevent leakage.

Issued

Jan 12, 1990

Abate by

Jan 22, 1990

Penalty

Initial $490 · Current $490

Issued

Jan 12, 1990

Abate by

Jan 22, 1990

Penalty

Initial $490 · Current $490

Issued

Jan 12, 1990

Abate by

Jan 22, 1990

Penalty

Initial $490 · Current $490

Issued

Jan 12, 1990

Abate by

Mar 15, 1990

Penalty

Initial $420 · Current $420

Issued

Jan 12, 1990

Abate by

Mar 15, 1990

Penalty

Current $420

Issued

Jan 12, 1990

Abate by

Jan 22, 1990

Issued

Jan 12, 1990

Abate by

Jan 31, 1990

Penalty

Current $490

Issued

Jan 12, 1990

Abate by

Jan 31, 1990

Issued

Jan 12, 1990

Abate by

Jan 15, 1990

Penalty

Initial $100

Issued

Jan 12, 1990

Abate by

Jan 22, 1990