OSHA Inspection: STAUNTON CORRECTIONAL CENTER

Issued

Jul 23, 1999

Abate by

Oct 18, 1999

General-duty citation text

40.1-51.1.(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:
Virginia Department of Corrections, Correctional Officers were
intentionally exposed to oleoresin capsicum (pepper spray) by
spraying the chemical directly on the forehead during training on
1/28/99.  The officers were not provided medical screening to
determine if individual employees should be exempted from exposure.
The MSDS states in Section 6 - Health Hazards, Medical Conditions
Generally Aggravated by Exposure: "May cause more severe,
temporary, effects on those persons who are asthmatics or suffer
from emphysema."
One feasible and acceptable abatement method, among others, to
correct this hazard is to provide effective medical screening to
determine if employees have medical conditions which are likely to
be aggravated by direct exposure to OC spray.re

Issued

Jul 23, 1999

Abate by

Oct 18, 1999

Issued

Jul 23, 1999

Abate by

Oct 18, 1999

Issued

Jul 23, 1999

Abate by

Oct 18, 1999