OSHA Inspection: REGENCY SENIOR SERVICES LLC DBA DOVE HEALTHCARE

Issued

Aug 18, 2003

Abate by

Nov 15, 2003

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,800 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 were likely to cause serious physical harm to:
(a)On or about August 8, 2003 and at times prior thereto, employees
including the
Certified Nursing Assistants who work at the Regency Senior Services LLC
dba
Dove Healthcare of Glendale LLC on West Bender Road in Glendale, Wisconsin,
performed repeated manual lifting/lowering, pushing, pulling, bending,
reaching,
twisting and other tasks associated with resident transfers and
repositioning. These
actions, which required employees to manually transfer and reposition
partial-
weight bearing and non-weight bearing residents, exposed employees to
hazards
which had caused, are causing or are likely to cause musculoskeletal
disorders
(MSDs) involving the back and shoulders.
Abatement:  While some ergonomic related risk factors may be reduced or
eliminated by implementing a single means of abatement, in most cases a
process
that includes analysis of the worksite, prevention and control, medical
management, and training and education of employees (in both recognition of
hazard and injury and avoidance of injury) hazard will provide the most
effective
method of addressing the risk factors.  The employer may adopt any measures
that are effective in reducing or eliminating the hazard.
Abatement controls include, engineering, training and education and
administrative and work practice controls.
Some examples of engineering controls include:
1.The use of an adequate number of appropriate mechanical lift-assist
devices and repositioning devices to significantly reduce or eliminate
manual transferring and repositioning of residents.
2.Other transfer and repositioning assistive devices such as but not
limited
to low friction slip sheets, pivot transfer devices and double handled gait
belts.
3.Equipment to assist with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) such as
toilet/shower chairs, toilet risers, transfer boards, pelvic lift devices
and
height adjustable bathtubs.
4.The installation and use of electric height adjustable beds.
Training and Education:
Providing training and, retraining to employees who are responsible for
transferring and repositioning residents in hazard control and recognition
and in
the use of all mechanical lift-assist, transfer and repositioning devices.
An example of administrative controls that may apply to this workplace
include:
Ensuring that all mechanical lift-assist devices and transfer and
repositioning
assistive devices are properly maintained.
Some examples of work practice controls that may apply to this workplace
include:
1.Proper use of mechanical lift-assist devices and repositioning devices
including work methods that improve posture and reduce stress and strain
on the low back and extremities.
2.Monitoring the use of all mechanical lift-assist devices and transfer and
repositioning assistive devices to ensure that they are being used when
needed and in the manner the manufacturer intended.
Certification, and documentation/evidence of abatement is required.
Certification of abatement is required by 29 CFR Part 1903 and is to be
submitted within ten (10)
calendar days after the abatement date.

Issued

Aug 18, 2003

Abate by

Nov 30, 2003

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,400 Reduced

Issued

Aug 18, 2003

Abate by

Oct 20, 2003

Issued

Aug 18, 2003

Abate by

Oct 20, 2003

Issued

Aug 18, 2003

Abate by

Sep 30, 2003

Penalty

Initial $2,450 · Current $1,400 Reduced

Issued

Aug 18, 2003

Abate by

Sep 30, 2003

Issued

Aug 18, 2003

Abate by

Oct 5, 2003

Issued

Aug 18, 2003

Abate by

Aug 21, 2003

Penalty

Current $1,400

Issued

Aug 18, 2003

Abate by

Aug 21, 2003

Issued

Aug 18, 2003

Abate by

Aug 21, 2003

Issued

Aug 18, 2003

Abate by

Sep 20, 2003

Issued

Aug 18, 2003

Abate by

Oct 20, 2003

Issued

Aug 18, 2003

Abate by

Sep 30, 2003

Penalty

Current $700

Issued

Aug 18, 2003

Abate by

Aug 21, 2003