OSHA Inspection: CONDELL MEDICAL CENTER

Issued

Feb 7, 1995

Abate by

Feb 17, 1995

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $2,250 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
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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:
(a)  Workers, including but not limited to physicians, nurses, nursing
assistants,
environmental service personnel, respiratory therapists, and medical
technologists,
were exposed to the hazard of being infected with tuberculosis through
contact
with patients who were or may be infected with tuberculosis.
(1)  Patients with suspected infectious tuberculosis were not placed in
patient care rooms which were under negative pressure with respect to
corridors.
(2)  There was no protocol to ensure that negative pressure was
maintained where required, i.e. Autopsy Room, Patient Care Rooms.
Feasible and useful abatement methods for reducing these hazards, as
recommended by the Centers for Disease Control, among others are:
(1)  Placement of patients with suspected or confirmed infectious
tuberculosis in AFB (acid fast bacilli) isolation rooms.  AFB isolation
rooms for persons with suspected or confirmed infectious tuberculosis and
areas where high hazard procedures are being performed on such
individuals must be maintained under negative pressure and appropriately
exhausted (either directly to the outside away from intake vents or through
properly designed, installed, and maintained HEPA filters).
(2)  Windows which can be opened by occupants should be secured.
Employees should be trained in the potential for positive pressure in the
AFB isolation rooms when the windows are open.  Signs addressing the
hazard of having the windows open should be posted.
Rooms designated as AFB isolation rooms should be checked for negative
pressure with respect to corridors on a daily basis when used by a patient
with suspected or confirmed infectious tuberculosis.

Issued

Oct 24, 1994

Abate by

Oct 28, 1994

Penalty

Initial $2,250 · Current $1,300 Reduced

Issued

Oct 24, 1994

Abate by

Oct 28, 1994

Penalty

Initial $2,250 · Current $1,300 Reduced

Issued

Oct 24, 1994

Abate by

Oct 28, 1994

Penalty

Initial $900 · Current $600 Reduced

Issued

Oct 24, 1994

Abate by

Oct 28, 1994

Issued

Oct 24, 1994

Abate by

Oct 28, 1994