OSHA Inspection: ROCHE BIOMEDICAL LABORATORIES, INC.

Issued

1991-04-17 00:00:00

Abate by

1991-05-22 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $640.00 · Current $640.00

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
blood and body fluids potentially infected with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
and/or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV):
a) Throughout establishment, on or about 12/4/90. Laboratory technicians
were exposed to blood and body fluids while performing daily work
practices, such as transferring, pipetting, and preparing slides
of blood and/or body fluids in that several employees had not
received Hepatitis B vaccinations.
The hazards of such exposure include, but are not limited to, the
onset of clinical symptoms of acute Hepatitis B, anorexia, abdominal
pain, jaundice, and the potential for becoming a chronic carrier of
the Hepatitis B and/or Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
Among other methods, one feasible abatement method to reduce this hazard
is to establish and enforce adequate procedures regarding exposure to
and handling of blood and body fluids, such as those stipulated by the
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Guidelines published in Morbidity and
Mortality Weekly Report, June 24, 1988, Volume 37, Number 24. Elements
essential to an Infection Control Program include at a minimum:
Hepatitis B Vaccination. The facility's infection control policy
regarding Hepatitis B vaccinations shall address all circumstances
warranting such vaccinations and 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.

Issued

1991-04-17 00:00:00

Abate by

1991-04-20 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $640.00 · Current $200.00 Reduced

Issued

1991-04-17 00:00:00

Abate by

1991-05-07 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $420.00 · Current $200.00 Reduced

Issued

1991-04-17 00:00:00

Abate by

1991-04-29 00:00:00