OSHA Inspection: CONTINENTAL CARE CENTER, INC.

Issued

Jun 14, 1991

Abate by

Jul 19, 1991

Penalty

Initial $1,375 · Current $850 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 serius physical harm to employees in that employees were
exposed to:
(a) Health care workers and other affected workers employed
by Continental Care Center were exposed to the hazards of being
infected by Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and/or Human Immunodeficien-
cy Virus (HIV) through possible contact with blood or other body
fluids. Health care workers potentially exposed include but are
not limited to registered nurses, nurses assistants and house-
keeping staff.
Feasible abatement methods for reducing this hazard include,
but are not limited to the following:
(1) Implementing a policy that indentifies all employees at a
substantial risk of being exposed to blood or body fluids
relative to other workers and addresses all circumstances
warranting Hepatitis B Vaccinations. Such employees shall be
informed about circumstances warrnating such vaccinations,
and shall be offered the Hepatitis B Vaccination free of
charge and in amounts, and at times prescribed by medical
practice.
(2) Provide sufficient training to nurses who are potential-
ly exposed to needles. The used needles should not be
recapped by hand. Nurses shall be trained to utilize uni-
versal precautions described in Center for Disease Control
guidelines for protection against HBV and HIV.
(3) Include in the policy follow-up, procedures after possi-
ble exposure to HIV that include HIV testing for the health
care worker. If the patient that the worker was exposed to
does not consent to HIV testing, or it the patient tests
positive, the worker shall be evaluated clinically and shall
undergo HIV antibody testing as soon as possible. The worker
shall be advised to report any acute febrile illness that
occurs within 12 weeks of exposure and shall be advised to
seek medical evaluation of such illness.
HIV seronegative workers shall be retested 6 weeks after
exposure and on a periodic basis thereafter (recommended
intervals of 12 weeks and 6 months after reported exposure).
Follow-up procedures after possible exposure to HBV shall
depend on the immunization status of the source patient. The
CDC Morbidity and Mortality Report, June 7, 1985, may be
consulted for recommendations on post exposure prophylaxis.

Issued

May 31, 1991

Abate by

Jul 19, 1991

Penalty

Initial $1,100 · Current $700 Reduced

Issued

May 31, 1991

Abate by

Jul 19, 1991

Penalty

Initial $1,100 · Current $700 Reduced