OSHA Inspection: GEORGE W. HARDY, FAMILY DENTISTRY

Issued

Jan 23, 1992

Abate by

Feb 24, 1992

Penalty

Initial $375 · Current $281 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 employees were exposed to
the hazard of being infected with HBV and/or HIV through direct
contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials:
(a)  Employees were exposed due to lack of use of long
sleeve lab coats or appropriate clothing during dental
procedures.  Scrub suits worn by employees had short
sleeves, thus leaving the arms exposed.
(b)  The hazard of occupational exposure to bloodborne
pathogens through an incomprehensive exposure control plan.
(1)  Employees were exposed due to not having had the Hepatitis
B vaccination.  The exposure control plan did not specify which
employees should be offered the vaccination and a tiame frame
for beginning the injection series.
(2)  Employees were exposed due to improper disposal of bio-
hazardous materials.  The exposure control plan did not specify
what was to be considered biohazardous material, and disposed
of accordingly.
Feasible and useful abatement methods for reducing these hazards, among
others are:
1.  Requiring the use of long sleeve lab coats, orappropriate clothing
by employees at risk of directly contacting blood or other poten-
tially infectious materials.
2.  Establishing and implementing an exposure control plan that includes
having employees at risk vaccinated for Heaptitis B as soon as possible
after being employed and proper disposal of all infectious waste, as
required by CPL 2-2.44B.
3.  Providing training for all employees in the use of personal protective
equipment, timely vaccination of employees at risk to Hepatitis B, proper
disposal of all infectious waste, and precautionary measures for employee
protection against bloodborne pathogens.

Issued

Jan 23, 1992

Abate by

Feb 3, 1992

Penalty

Initial $375 · Current $281 Reduced

Issued

Jan 23, 1992

Abate by

Feb 3, 1992