OSHA Inspection: THC OF HOLLYWOOD

Issued

Dec 21, 1994

Abate by

Jan 17, 1995

Penalty

Initial $975

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:
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The employer did not furnish to employees 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:
(a) On or about November 17, 1994, Nurses, Respiratory Therapists,
Environmental Service
personnel and other employees were exposed to the hazard of being infected
with tuberculosis
(TB) through contact with the exhaled air of patients with suspected or
confirmed TB disease
through repeated, prolonged indoor contact and/or during the performance
of high risk
procedures where:
(1) PPD tuberculin skin testing was not provided every six months to
employees exposed
to suspect or confirmed TB patients during the performance of high risk
procedures such
as bronchoscopy and sputum induction, medical screening, and other duties
and
procedures where exposure is anticipated during the performance of job
duties.
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.
(ii) Reassessment following exposure or change of health; additionally,
provide
any employee experiencing an unprotected occupational exposure to a person
with
infectious tuberculosis disease a revaluation and repeat PPD testing in
accordance
with current CDC guidelines.
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: Employee medical monitoring program shall be revised to
include
tuberculin (PPD) skin testing of appropriate frequency.