OSHA Inspection: ST. CROIX HOSPITAL

Issued

Feb 27, 1990

Abate by

Mar 29, 1990

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, in that:
Employees of the St. Croix Hospital who worked on the first floor in
areas such as the kitchen, cafeteria, maintenance, housekeeping,
medical records, clinic area, admissions office, business office,
cashier, laboratory, P.B.X., and Pathology section, were exposed to
heavy fungi growth on walls, ceilings, vents, files; and to airborne
fungi.
The fungi include species of Apergillus sp.p., Rhizopus sp.p., and
Saprophytic fungi. Said fungi posed health hazards to employees
because of their pathogenic effects on the individual. The pathogenic
effects include mucormucosis (lesion of orbital tissue and nasal
sinuses, invasion of the Central Nervous System, massive invasion
or blood vessels with formation of emboli, pulmonary lesions and
gastrointestinal ulcers), apergillosis (necrotizing, and cavity
disease of the lungs, often with hematogenous spread to other organs.
In a broader sense, aspergillosis includes any infection caused by a
specie of Aspergillus), myocarditis, allergies and otomycosis.
One feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct the hazard is:
to immediately remove all the employees from the first floor of the
hospital and relocate them in temporary offices until the hazardous
condition is abated.

Issued

Feb 27, 1990

Abate by

Mar 23, 1990