OSHA Inspection: COOPER MEDICAL CENTER

Issued

May 28, 1993

Abate by

Sep 30, 1993

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $1,800 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)  Employees including but not limited to physicians,
staff nurses, and respiratory therapists were exposed,
to the hazard of being infected by Tuberculosis
through repeated prolonged indoor contact with
patients who may be infected with the tuberculosis
in that:
Cooper Hospital - Employees involved with
patient care were not provided with Mantoux
Skin Tests as follows:
1)  After TB exposure
2)  Twelve weeks following a TB exposure, and
3)  Every six months for workers with frequent
exposure.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
reduce this hazard is to follow the medical surveillance protocol
for tuberculosis, as published by the Centers for Disease Control
(CDC).
Medical Surveillance:
a.  All employees in the facilities covered must be offered
the Mantoux skin test free of charge and at a time
and place convenient to the employees.
b.  All test procedures shall be conducted in accordance
with standard medical practice.
c.  Frequency of testing shall be as follows:
- At time of employment, unless there is a previous
positive test or documented completion of adequate
preventive therapy.
- Every six (6) months for workers with frequent
exposure to patients with TB for are involved
with high hazard procedures.
- After a TB exposure, that is, if a worker has been
exposed to a potentially infectious TB patient for
whom infection control procedures have not been
taken.  This will not be required when an employee's
last skin test was within the previous (3) months.
If negative, the skin test shall be repeated
twelve (12) weeks after exposure.
On or about 12/15/93.

Issued

May 28, 1993

Abate by

Sep 30, 1993

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $1,800 Reduced

Issued

May 12, 1993

Abate by

Jun 14, 1993

Penalty

Initial $2,250 · Current $2,250

Issued

May 12, 1993

Abate by

May 22, 1993

Penalty

Initial $2,250 · Current $2,250

Issued

May 12, 1993

Abate by

May 22, 1993

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $4,500

Issued

May 12, 1993

Abate by

May 22, 1993

Issued

May 12, 1993

Abate by

May 22, 1993

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $4,500