OSHA Inspection: LIFECARE CENTER OF ST. ELMO

Issued

Dec 4, 1989

Abate by

Dec 19, 1989

Penalty

Initial $420 · Current $240 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 employees in that employees were exposed to:
...substantial risk of directly contacting body fluids, potentially
contaminated with Hepatitis B virus, in the normal course of their
duties. The duties of the nurses included drawing blood and injecting
medicines thereby creating a risk of needlesticks. In spite of the
substantial risk of contact with body fluids to the nurses and
potentially to other employees, the employer had not offered
Hepatitis B vaccinations in amounts and at times prescribed by
standard medical practice. Additionally, the employer had not
addressed all circumstances warranting such vaccinations nor had
the employer identified specific employees at substantial risk
which included but was not limited to, the nurses assigned to each
shift. This requirement for vaccination for Hepatitis B virus is
from CDC Guidelines dated June 19, 1987, Vol. 36, No. 23.

Issued

Dec 4, 1989

Abate by

Dec 12, 1989

Penalty

Initial $420 · Current $420

Issued

Dec 4, 1989

Abate by

Dec 19, 1989

Penalty

Initial $360 · Current $240 Reduced