OSHA Inspection: UNITED STATES CUSTOMS SERVICE, EL PASO DISTRICT

Issued

Jun 23, 1995

Abate by

Dec 31, 1996

General-duty citation text

Executive Order 12196, Section 1-201(a):  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:
Employees including, but not limited to, enforcement officers performing
apprehension, body
searches and interrogation of suspects during incarceration in the holding
cells of this facility and
the transport of these suspects to the county hospital in a closed vehicle
were exposed to the
hazard of being infected with Tuberculosis through repeated prolonged
indoor contact with
prisoners who may be infected with tuberculosis.
Feasible and useful abatement methods for reducing this hazard, as
recommended by the Centers
for Disease Control, among others are:
1.
a) The wearing of particulate HEPA respirators when employees enter rooms
(holding cells)
housing individuals with suspected or confirmed TB disease or;
b) During transport or incarceration, the individual with suspected or
confirmed TB disease
shall be evaluated to determine if it is feasible for the individual
incarcerated or transported to
be fitted with an appropriate mask/respirator.
2. Medical surveillance (at no cost to employee) including preplacement
evaluation,
administration and interpretation of TB Mantoux skin tests and periodic
evaluations shall be
offered to employees as follows:  An initial baseline screening at the
time of employment for
all employees in the covered facilities; annually for all employees;
re-testing every six  months
for workers after unprotected exposure to tuberculosis.
3. Training of employees to insure employee knowledge of such issues as
the hazard of TB
transmission, its signs and symptoms, medical surveillance and therapy and
site specific
protocols including the purpose and proper use of controls.

Issued

Jun 23, 1995

Abate by

Jun 28, 1995

Issued

Jun 23, 1995

Abate by

Jul 27, 1995

Issued

Jun 23, 1995

Abate by

Aug 10, 1995

Issued

Jun 23, 1995

Abate by

Aug 10, 1995