OSHA Inspection: ST. MARYS HOSPITAL

Issued

Mar 23, 1995

Abate by

Apr 18, 1995

Penalty

Initial $2,625 · Current $1,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
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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:
a. On or about January 31,1995, Nurses, Respiratory Therapist, Maintenance
and Environmental
personnel and other employees were exposed to the hazard of being infected
with tuberculosis
(TB) in the performance of their job duties through repeated, prolonged,
indoor contact with
patients who were infectious, or suspected of being infectious, with TB in
that employees had
potential exposure to the exhaled air of individuals with suspected or
confirmed TB disease
and/or performed, or were exposed during performance of high-hazard
procedures (e.g.
aerosolized medication treatment, sputum induction, endotracheal
intubation, and suctioning
procedures, housekeeping, medical screening and other duties and
procedures) which  may
involve close contact with these individuals where:
(1) Periodic employee medical evaluations and PPD tuberculin  skin testing
were not
offered at appropriate frequency to all employees exposed to TB. Workers
(nurses,
respiratory therapist, environmental services and maintenance personnel)
with frequent
exposure to individuals with TB were not provided periodic medical
evaluations which
include PPD tuberculin skin testing at least every six (6) months.
Feasible and useful abatement methods for reducing this hazard include,
but are not limited to
the following:
(1) Provide medical screening for workers which includes the following:
(i) Periodic evaluations; provide initial and periodic employee medical
evaluations
which include PPD tuberculin skin testing every six (6) months for workers
with
frequent exposure to individuals with TB. Provide all other workers in the
covered workplace testing annually.
NOTE: Workers with a documented positive TB skin test who have received
documented adequate treatment for disease or preventative therapy for
infection
are exempt unless they develop symptoms.
NOTE: Evaluations must include Mantoux skin test free of charge, conducted
in
accordance with standard medical practice, and at a time and place
convenient to
the employee.
References:
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Guidelines for preventing
transmission
of tuberculosis in health-care settings, with special focus on HIV related
issues.
MMWR
1990; 39(No. RR-17):1-29.
ABATEMENT NOTE:
(a) Employee medical monitoring program shall be established and include/
revised to include/ tuberculin (PPD) skin testing of appropriate frequency.

Issued

Mar 23, 1995

Abate by

Mar 31, 1995

Penalty

Initial $2,625 · Current $1,400 Reduced

Issued

Mar 23, 1995

Abate by

Mar 31, 1995

Penalty

Initial $2,625 · Current $1,400 Reduced

Issued

Mar 23, 1995

Abate by

Mar 31, 1995

Penalty

Initial $1,875 · Current $800 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1190

Issued

Mar 23, 1995

Abate by

Apr 18, 1995

Issued

Mar 23, 1995

Abate by

Apr 18, 1995

Hazardous substances 1290