OSHA Inspection: JACKSON LABORATORY

Issued

Sep 19, 1989

Abate by

Dec 19, 1989

Penalty

Initial $420 · Current $420

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 physicl harm to employees in that employees were exposed to
microbial contamination and/or presence of animal allergens likely to
cause serious illness.  These health problems result from insufficient
maintenance and cleaning as well as poor design of the air handling
units.  These conditions result in water saturation of insulation,
filters and ductwork, microbial growth, poor delivery of outside air to
the employee work areas, and insufficient dilution of contaminants
generated in the work area.  Illnessess that result from these
conditions may include: legionelle, hypersenitivity, pneumonitis,
asthma, and humidifier fever.  The following contributed to the
existance of these health hazards:
a) Morrell Park Building - air handling units to room 13.
b) Morrell Park Annex Building - Air handling units to room 1 and 2.
ABATEMENT NOTE:  Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable
abatement methods to correct this hazard is to develop a protection
program including:
a) A periodic cleaning schedule for the air handling units.
b) Removal of all porous material/insulation from the interior of the
air handling units.
c) Installation of dehumidifiar equipment that prevents the release of
water that would result in the wetting of the ductwork or filter
assemblies.
d) Increase the air exchange rate such that the human occupancy is
provided with and equivalent of 10 air changes, or more, per hour
outside air.
e) A medical surveillance program for all employees exposed to allergens
in the work place.  Such a program would include monitoring employees
lung functioning, symptom detection logs/surveys or other tests as
necessary to detect acute and subacute symptomology. Employees found
to be experiencing acute or chronic sensitivity would then be
required to wear adequate personal protective equipment including a
respirator and to be included in a respiratoryprotection program
until such a time as engineering controls have removed the hazard.