OSHA Inspection: NEW BOSTON HOME HEALTH CARE

Issued

Jan 6, 1998

Abate by

Feb 24, 1998

Penalty

Initial $1,100 · Current $1,100

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 home health
care employees were exposed to the hazard of being infected with
tuberculosis in that potentially
exposed employees were not screened for tuberculosis yearly and a training
and education
program about tuberculosis was not implemented.
Feasible and useful abatement methods for reducing this hazard as
recommended by the
Centers for Disease Control, among others, are:
1.  Medical Surveillance - The employer shall offer TB skin tests to all
current potentially
exposed employees and all new employees prior to exposure. TB skin tests
shall be repeated at
intervals recommended by the Centers for Disease Control: every 3 months
for high risk
workers, 6 months for intermediate risk workers and annually for low risk
personnel.
2.  Training - Institution of a training program to educate employees
regarding the hazards and
control of tuberculosis which would include:
The cause and mode of transmission of tuberculosis.
An explanation of tuberculosis disease and tuberculosis infection.
An explanation of the skin testing being done and interpretation of the
results,
including follow-up care.
The signs and symptoms of tuberculosis and the mechanism for reporting
them.
The purpose of preventive therapy.
The risk factors for tuberculosis disease development.
The treatment of tuberculosis and multi-drug resistant tuberculosis.
The personal protective equipment to be utilized, as well as, any
engineering
and/or administrative controls used to minimize employee exposures.

Issued

Oct 31, 1997

Abate by

Nov 13, 1997

Penalty

Initial $825 · Current $413 Reduced

Issued

Oct 31, 1997

Abate by

Dec 19, 1997

Penalty

Initial $550 · Current $550

Issued

Oct 31, 1997

Abate by

Dec 19, 1997

Penalty

Initial $825 · Current $413 Reduced

Issued

Oct 31, 1997

Abate by

Dec 19, 1997

Penalty

Initial $1,100 · Current $550 Reduced

Issued

Oct 31, 1997

Abate by

Nov 28, 1997

Issued

Oct 31, 1997

Abate by

Nov 20, 1997

Issued

Oct 31, 1997

Abate by

Nov 20, 1997

Issued

Oct 31, 1997

Abate by

Dec 19, 1997

Issued

Oct 31, 1997

Abate by

Dec 5, 1997

Hazardous substances 0640