OSHA Inspection: RETINA ASSOCIATES OF N.J., P.A.

Issued

Jan 6, 1992

Abate by

Feb 24, 1992

Penalty

Initial $875 · Current $875

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 the hazard of becoming infected with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
and/or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) through possible direct
contact with blood or other body fluids:
a)  Medical offices in Teaneck, NJ and Wayne, NJ:  On or about
November 13, 1991, all employees with the job titles of
Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse and Certified
Retina Angiographer with potential exposure to blood or body
fluids while performing or assisting with procedures such
as, but not limited to intraveneous injections of fluorescein
dye, AFX Air Fluid Exchange, or Cryopexy treatment of
diseases of the retina and vitreous, had not been offered
the protection of HBV vaccinations, nor provided information
on the efficacy, safety and benefits of being vaccinated.
The hazards of such exposure include, but are not limited to cute
Hepatitis B, cirrhosis, primary liver cancer and becoming a chronic
active carrier of the Hepatitis B and/or Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
ABATEMENT NOTES:
Among other methods, one feasible abatement method to reduce this
hazard is to establish and enforce adequate procedures regarding
exposure to and handling of blood or other body fluids, such as those
stipulated by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Guidelines
published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, June 24, 1988,
Volume 37, Number 24.
HEPATITIS B VACCINATION:
The Association's infection control policy regarding Hepatitis B
Vaccinations shall address all circumstances warranting such
vaccinations and shall identify employees at substantial risk of
directly contacting blood or other body fluids.
All such employees shall be taken for health care workers exposed
or potentially exposed to HBV.  The type of procedures depends on
the immunization status of the worker, i.e., whether HBV vaccination
has been received and antibody response is adequate and the HBV
serologic status of the source patient.  The CDC Immunization
Practices Advisory Committee has published its recommendations
regarding HBV post-exposure prophylaxis in table format in the June
5, 1985, Morbidy and Mortality Weekly Report.
If an employee refuses to submit to the procedures stated above, when
such procedures are medically indicated, no adverse action can be
taken on that ground since the procedures are designed for the benefit
of the exposed employee.

Issued

Jan 6, 1992

Abate by

Feb 24, 1992

Penalty

Initial $525 · Current $525

Issued

Jan 6, 1992

Abate by

Feb 24, 1992

Penalty

Initial $525 · Current $525

Issued

Jan 6, 1992

Abate by

Feb 24, 1992

Penalty

Initial $525 · Current $525

Issued

Jan 6, 1992

Abate by

Feb 10, 1992

Issued

Jan 6, 1992

Abate by

Feb 10, 1992

Issued

Jan 6, 1992

Abate by

Feb 24, 1992