OSHA Inspection: HERITAGE-SHADYSIDE NURSING HOME

Issued

Oct 15, 1990

Abate by

Dec 17, 1990

Penalty

Initial $360 · Current $200 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 health care workers
(nurses, housekeepers, laundry workers and others whose work may involve
direct contact with body fluids) were exposed to the hazard of being
infected by HBV and/or HIV through possible direct contact with blood or
other body fluids.
A) Establishment; employees whose work may involve direct contact with
body fluids or blood-borne pathogens including, but not limited to,
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) were
not provided a hepatitis b vaccination free of charge. (9/14/90).
Feasible and useful abatement methods for reducing this hazard, among
others are:
1) Make available a Hepatitis B vaccination to all employees whose work
may involve direct contact with body fluids or blood-borne pathogens
free of charge.
2) Assure all medical evaluations and procedures are performed by or
under the supervision of a licensed physician and that all laboratory
tests are conducted by an accredited laboratory.
3) Assure that all evaluations, procedures, vaccinations and booster
dose(s) are provided to the employees at a reasonable time and place,
and according to standard recommendations for medical practice.

Issued

Oct 15, 1990

Abate by

Oct 24, 1990

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 health care workers
(housekeeping staff) were exposed to the hazard of being infected by
HBV and/or HIV through possible contact with blood or body fluids:
A) Heritage-Shadyside Nursing Home: An employee designated as a
housekeeper was not provided a confidential medical evaluation,
counseling, and follow-up, following the report of an exposure
incident. (9/14/90)
Feasible and useful abatement methods for reducing this hazard, among
others are:
1) Documentation of the route(s) of exposure, HBV and HIV antibody
status of the source patient, and the circumstances under which the
exposure occurred.
2) Follow-up of the exposed employee including counseling with regards
to the risk of infection, illness reporting, and review of test
results.
3) Provide safe and effective testing of exposed employees according to
standard recommendations for medical practice as established by the
Centers for Disease Control (CDC). These recommendations include
collection of blood from the exposed employee as soon as possible
after the exposure incident for the determination of HIV and/or HBV
status, retesting 6 weeks post-exposure and on a periodic basis
thereafter (12 weeks and 6 months after exposure).
The alleged violations above have been grouped because they involve
similar or related hazards that may increase the potential for illness.

Issued

Oct 15, 1990

Abate by

Nov 7, 1990

Penalty

Initial $240 · Current $140 Reduced

Issued

Oct 15, 1990

Abate by

Nov 20, 1990

Issued

Oct 15, 1990

Abate by

Nov 20, 1990