OSHA Inspection: PORTA-MEDIC

Issued

Mar 8, 1991

Abate by

Mar 29, 1991

Penalty

Initial $400 · Current $400

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:
A) An effective training program which would limit the risk of
employees contracting blood-born diseases was not being followed.
Health care workers (phlebotomists) were exposed to the hazard of
being infected by Hepatitis B virus, Human Immonodeficiency Virus,
and other microorganisms capable of preducing bloodborn diseases
through possible direct contact with blood or other body fluids.
Feasible and useful abatement methods for reducing this hazard, among
others, are: Training and Education of Health Care Workers. All high
risk health care workers should receive education on: precautionary
measures, epidemiology, modes of transmission and precaution of
Hepatitis B/Human Immonodeficiency Virus, possible risks to the fetus
from HBV/HIV and other associated infectious agents, potential needle
sticks during phlebotomy, splashes to the face, mouth, eyes, and body
when working with body fluids and skin contact when cleaning up spills,
location and proper use of personal protective equipment, proper work
practices and understood the concept of "Universal Precautions" as it
applies to their work practices.

Issued

Mar 8, 1991

Abate by

Mar 29, 1991

Penalty

Initial $400 · Current $400

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:
A) At the Field: Health care workers (phlebotomists) were exposed to
the hazard of being infected by Hepatitis B Virus and/or Human
Immunodeficiency virus and other microorganisms capable of producing
bloodborne diseases, through possible direct contact with blood or
other body fluids. Employees were allowed to recap needles by hand,
before disposal, without using safe techniques.
Feasible and useful abatement methods for reducing this hazard among
others, are: the use of some resheathing instruments, self sheathing
needles, use of forceps, or sharps containers.

Issued

Mar 8, 1991

Abate by

Mar 29, 1991

Penalty

Initial $400 · Current $400

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:
A) Health care workers (phylebotomists) were exposed to the hazard of
being infected by Hepatitis B virus through possible direct contact
with blood or other body fluids, and were not offered Hepatitis B
vaccination(s).
Feasible and useful abatement method, for recducing this hazard, among
others, are: Identify all emoloyees at substantial risk of directly
contacting body fluids, counsel, and offer Hepatitis B vaccination(s),
free of charge, in amounts and at times prescribed by standard medical
practice.

Issued

Mar 8, 1991

Abate by

Mar 29, 1991

Penalty

Initial $400 · Current $400

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:
A) At the establishment: The employer did not develop and
implement follow-up procedures as outlined by the Centers for
Disease Control as part of the Co.'s infection control program
for employees who are potentially exposed to the hazards of being
infected by Hepatitis B and/or Human Immonodeficiency virus
through possible direct contact with blood or other body fluids.
Feasible and useful abatement methods for reducing this hazard, among
others, are: source patient status evaluation for HBV/HIV, patient
antibody testing consent, exposed employee antibody testing and
counselling.
A recommended source of information is the CDC Immunization
Pracitices Advisory Council Committee publication regarding HBV
post, exposure prophylaxis in the June 7, 1985 Morbidity and
Mortality Weekly Report.

Issued

Mar 8, 1991

Abate by

Mar 29, 1991

Penalty

Initial $400 · Current $400

Issued

Mar 8, 1991

Abate by

Mar 29, 1991

Penalty

Initial $400 · Current $400