OSHA Inspection: MONMOUTH CONVALESCENT CENTER

Issued

Jan 9, 1991

Abate by

Feb 9, 1991

Penalty

Initial $640 · Current $500 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
the hazards of working with blood and body fluids thus causing or likely
to cause employee exposure to and contraction of HBV and/or HIV:
a) Healthcare workers, such as nurses, nursing aides and laundry
personnel working at the convalescent center were not provided
training specific to the Hepatitis B and Human Immunodeficiency
Viruses and were not offered the Hepatitis B vaccination.
Feasible and useful abatement methods for reducing this hazard, among
others, are:
1) Offer the Hepatitis B vaccination to all employees at substantial
risk of directly contacting potentially contaminated body fluids.
The vaccinations shall be free of charge in amounts and at times
prescribed by standard medical practices.
On or about 9/26/90.
2) Develop and implement an employee training and education program
for health care workers which is specific to the Hepatitis B and
human immunodeficiency viruses. All employees at substantial risk
of directly contacting potential contaminated body fluids shall
receive education on precautionary measures, epidemiology, modes
of transmission and prevention of HIV/HBV. Additionally, they shall
be trained regarding the proper use of personal protective equipment
proper worker practices and procedures to be used if they are exposed
to needlestick or to body fluids. Health care workers shall be
counseled regarding possible risks to fetus from HIV/HBV and its
other associatd infectious agents.

Issued

Jan 9, 1991

Abate by

Jan 24, 1991

Penalty

Initial $420