OSHA Inspection: BERKSHIRE PLACE NURSING HOME

Issued

May 8, 2001

Abate by

Jun 25, 2001

Penalty

Initial $825 · Current $413 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: On or about
April 06, 2001, employees were exposed to the hazard of over-exposure to
low temperatures that
could result in hypothermia.  The walk-in freezer door in the kitchen area
was provided with
a key lock and could not be opened from inside the freezer, resulting in
the potential for over
exposure to low temperatures.  One feasible and acceptable abatement
method to correct this
hazard is to install a door handle mechanism that complies with paragraph
5.4 of the
Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. Standard UL 471 (1987) which states:
"Unless provided with
other means of exit, door(s) intended for entrance of persons into the
refrigerated compartment
of a refrigerator shall be provided with a latch release mechanism that
will open the door from
the inside by a force applied outwardly to the door or to a release
actuator.
If the latch is
provided with a key lock, the latch release mechanism shall be constructed
so that the lock can
be opened from the interior."

Issued

May 8, 2001

Abate by

Nov 1, 2001

Issued

May 8, 2001

Abate by

Jun 25, 2001