OSHA Inspection: THOMAS CARRATOLA, DDS

Issued

Nov 9, 1990

Abate by

Jan 3, 1991

Penalty

Initial $350 · Current $227 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:
High risk health care workers (such as dental hygienist, technicians and
assistants), were exposed to hazards of being infected by HBV and/or HIV
through possible direct contact with blood or other body fluids.
Feasible and useful abatement methods of reducing this hazard, among
others are:
1) Provide training and education, as stipulated by the centers for
disease control, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, Aids
recommendations and guidelines as well as infection control
guidelines issued by the aamerican dental association, to include
at least the following:
a) All high risk health care workers shall receive education
on precautionary measures, epidemiology, modes of transmission
and prevention of HIV/HBV. Health care workers shall be counseled
regarding possible risks to the fetus from HIV/HBV and other
associated infectious agents.
b) In addition, such high risk workers must receive training regarding
the location and proper use of personal protective equipment. They
shall be trained concerning proper work practices and, if the
facility has implemented them, shall understand the concept of
"Universal Precautions" as it applies to their work practices. They
shall be trained about the meaning of color codingor other methods
used to designate contaminated articles of infectious waste. Workers
shall receive training about procedures to be used if they are
exposed to needlesticks or to body fluids.
2) The employer shall identify employees at substantial risk of directly
contacting body fluids. All such employees shall be offered Hepatitis
B vaccinations free of charge in amounts and at times prescribed by
standard medical practices, as stipulated by the Center for Disease
Control, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Aids Recommendations and
Guidelines.
7. Routine inspection, at least daily, of material handling equipment
such as hanging trees, cages and the overhead rail conveyor system
to detect damaged components or otherwise potentially hazardous
condition and expeditious handling of necessary repair activities.
8. Utilization and expansion of methods of employee rotation to allow
sufficient rest periods between similar repetitive type motions.
9. Consider reduction of the number of hours worked per day to reduce
fatique and allow rest intervals.
10. Consider modifying ( reduce and/or stabilize) line speeds.
11. Comprehensive employee training in the importance of proper
lifting and material handling techniques in conformance with the NIOSH
"Work Practices Guide for Manual Lifting".
12. Education of employee as to what ergonomic injuries/illnesses
are and how to reduce their effects prior to initial assignment to
a job and at least annually thereafter.
13. Training for supervisors, in addition to that given to other
employees, that will enable them to recognize harzardous work practices
and to reinforce the employer's ergonomic program, especially the
ergonomic training of employees as may be needed.
14. Establishment and strick supervisory adherence to a regimented
training program for new, returning, and/or relocation employees that
allows for gradual strengthening and conditioning over a minimum 4
to 6 week period prior to full-time assignment to a particular job.
15. Improve medical services: pre-employment examinations pertinent
to medical nerve distribution and muscular aberrations, wrist flextest,
electromyelogram (conduction time of nerve), and periodic examinations
suring employment.

Issued

Nov 9, 1990

Abate by

Nov 20, 1990

Penalty

Initial $350 · Current $227 Reduced

Issued

Nov 9, 1990

Abate by

Nov 29, 1990

Penalty

Initial $350 · Current $227 Reduced

Issued

Nov 9, 1990

Abate by

Nov 23, 1990

Penalty

Initial $350 · Current $227 Reduced

Issued

Nov 9, 1990

Abate by

Nov 29, 1990

Penalty

Initial $350 · Current $227 Reduced

Issued

Nov 9, 1990

Abate by

Jan 3, 1991

Penalty

Initial $250 · Current $162 Reduced

Issued

Nov 9, 1990

Abate by

Jan 3, 1991

Penalty

Initial $250 · Current $162 Reduced

Issued

Nov 9, 1990

Abate by

Nov 26, 1990

Penalty

Initial $50 · Current $32 Reduced

Issued

Nov 9, 1990

Abate by

Jan 3, 1991