OSHA Inspection: GEISENGER HEALTH SYSTEM

Issued

May 10, 1991

Abate by

Aug 9, 1991

Penalty

Initial $560 · Current $560

Hazardous substances 8400

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 by HBV and/or HIV through possi-
ble contact with blood or other body fluids:
(a)  Health case workers (nursing staff, EMT's,
residents, Respiratory Therapists, and Laboratory
Medicine personnel) were exposed to the hazard of
being infected by HBV and/or HIV through possible
direct contact with blood or other body fluids in
that the Infection Control Program did not provide
for adequate training and/or enforcement of proper
work practices, thereby exposing employees to the
risk of needlesticks from the recapping of needles.
FEASIBLE AND USEFUL AATEMENT METHODS FOR REDUCING
THIS HAZARD, AMONG OTHERS, ARE:
1.  Provide a complete and effective training program
which includes proper work practices for the
handling and use of sharp instruments, specifically
needles.
2.  Provide a complete and effective enforcement
procedure which includes disciplinary action for
employees not following proper work practices.
3.  Provide resheathing instruments, self-sheathing
needles, a forceps to prevent employees from
recapping needles by hand.

Issued

May 10, 1991

Abate by

Aug 9, 1991

Penalty

Initial $560 · Current $560

Hazardous substances 8400

Issued

May 10, 1991

Abate by

Jun 9, 1991

Penalty

Initial $80 · Current $80