OSHA Inspection: BEN GORDON CMH CENTER

Issued

Mar 2, 1999

Abate by

Aug 25, 1999

Penalty

Initial $6,000 · Current $600 Reduced

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:
Substance abuse case managers, mental health case managers,
financial aids, admissions secretaries, and receptionists
performing in-take procedures and counseling activities were
exposed to the hazard of being infected by tuberculosis
through unprotected contact with clients who were or may have
been infected with tuberculosis.
Among others, one feasible abatement method to correct the
hazard is the development and implementation of the following:
1.Maintenance of an effective tuberculosis control program
that requires the early identification and screening of
suspect clients.
2.A Medical surveillance program including periodic
evaluations consisting of mantoux skin testing conducted
annually for workers having direct contact with drug
treatment clients.
3.Train all employees in the Tuberculosis Control Policy
and ensure understanding of the Policy by a question and
answer session. Place special emphasis on the Client
Respiratory Questionnaire.
4.Continue employee training and information to ensure
employee knowledge of such issues as the mode of
transmission of TB, its signs and symptoms, medical
surveillance and therapy, and the purpose and proper use
of site specific protocols for early identification and
referral of TB suspect clients. New employees shall be
trained upon hiring.
5.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.
Ben Gordon CMH Center was previously cited for a violation of
this Occupational Safety and Health Standard which was
contained in OSHA Inspection Number 113451520, Citation Number
1, Item Number 1, issued on June 26, 1998.