OSHA Inspection: FEDERAL WAREHOUSE CO.

Issued

Dec 6, 1991

Abate by

Jan 10, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,100

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:
The delivery and furniture moving personnel were exposed to the
hazard of being infected with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), and/or
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) through direct skin contact
with blood or other body fluids during the removal of mattresses
contaminated with blood and/or other body fluids from customer's
homes.  In spite of the substantial risk of contact with mattres-
ses contaminated with body fluids the employer did not provide
Hepatitis B vaccinations in amounts and at times prescribed by
standard medical practice, did not insure mattresses contaminated
with potentially infectious materials were placed in an impervious
bag and did not conduct employee training and education on epi-
demiology, modes of transmission, symptoms, and prevention of
bloodborne pathogens such as Hepatitis B Virus and Human Immuno-
deficiency Virus.
Feasible and useful abatement methods for reducing the hazard,
among others are:
1.   Employees at risk shall be identified and employees at
substantial risk of directly contacting mattresses con-
taminated with body fluids shall be offered Hepatitis B
vaccinations free of charge in amounts and at times pre-
scribed by standard medical practices.
2.   Identification of all operations involving substantial risk
of direct contact with materials contaminated with potential-
ly infectious agents.  All contaminated mattresses shall be
placed in an impervious bag in a manner with minimum agita-
tion to prevent infection of the person handling the mattres-
ses.
3.   Follow-up procedures shall be conducted after possible
exposure to Hepatitis B Virus and Human Immunodeficiency
Virus.  Documentation of employee exposure to body fluids
or cutaneous exposure to blood when the worker's skin is
chapped, abraded, or otherwise nonintact shall be completed.
Appropriate follow-up procedures shall be implemented depend-
ant on the immunization status of the worker.  The CDC
Immunization Practices Advisory Committee has published its
recommendations regarding Hepatitis B Virus post exposure
prophylaxis in table format in the June 7, 1985, Morbidity
and Mortality Weekly Report.  If an employee refuses to
submit to the procedures above, no adverse action can be
taken on that ground alone since the procedures are designed
for the benefit of the exposed employee.
4.   All employees at risk shall receive education on precaution-
ary measures, epidemiology, modes of transmission, and
prevention of Hepatitis B Virus and Human Immunodeficiency
Virus.  In addition employees must receive training regarding
the location and proper use of personal protective equipment.
Employees shall understand the concept of "universal pre-
cautions" as it applies to their work practices.