OSHA Inspection: BEN GORDON CMH CENTER

Issued

Jun 26, 1998

Abate by

Oct 13, 1998

Penalty

Initial $3,500

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The
employer did not furnish
employment or a place of employment which was free from recognized hazards
that were
causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in
that employees were
exposed to:
Case managers and admissions employees were exposed to the hazard of being
infected
by tuberculosis through unprotected contact with chemical dependent
clients who were
or may have been infected with tuberculosis, while performing in-take
procedures and
counseling activities.
Among others, one feasible abatement method to correct the hazard is the
development
and implementation of the following:
1.Development of an effective tuberculosis control program that requires
the early
identification and screening of suspect clients.  This protocol shall
include
specific
directions regarding the treatment of the client.
2.A medical surveillance program including periodic evaluations consisting
of
mantoux skin testing conducted every three (3) months for workers in high
risk
areas and every six (6) months for workers in intermediate risk areas and
annually for low risk workers.
3.Training and information to ensure 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 shall be provided to workers upon hire.  Workers shall be trained
to
recognize and report to a designated person any clients with symptoms
suggestive
of TB.
4.Case management of infected employees shall include the following:  (a)
Protocol
for new converters.  Conversion to a positive mantoux skin test shall be
followed
up as soon as possible, normally within 72 hours, by appropriate physical,
laboratory and radiographic evaluations to determine whether the employee
has
TB disease. (b) Work restrictions for infectious employees.
DOCUMENTATION AND CERTIFICATION REQUIRED FOR THIS ITEM

Issued

Jun 26, 1998

Abate by

Oct 13, 1998

Penalty

Initial $3,500

Issued

Jun 26, 1998

Abate by

Oct 13, 1998

Penalty

Initial $1,000