OSHA Inspection: CATTARAUGUS CO DPW

Issued

Apr 10, 2008

Abate by

May 28, 2008

General-duty citation text

NYSLL Article 2, Section 27-a.3.a(1):  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 harm to employees in that employees:
Employees (Animal Control Officer, Police Officer, etc.) were exposed to
the hazard of being
infected with the rabies virus through possible direct contact with
saliva, blood, or other body
fluids of potentially rabid animals (such as skunks, raccoons, deer, and
foxes) being introduced
into open cuts or wounds in the skin or via mucous membranes. In applying
this paragraph,
fundamental distinctions between private and public employment have been
recognized.
Reasonable and useful abatement methods for reducing this hazard, among
others, are:
1.Training to include proper handling procedures, personal protective
equipment,
the etiology and modes of transmission of the disease, decontamination and
avoidance of animal/saliva contact.
2.Follow-up procedures to be implemented after an exposure incident.
Workers who
have occupational exposure and who have experienced an exposure incident
shall
be offered post-exposure vaccination and other treatment in accordance
with the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The follow-up shall take place
as
soon as possible and at no cost to the employee.
3. Hand-washing. After removing gloves, hands or other skin surfaces shall
be
washed thoroughly and immediately after contact with body fluids.
4. Decontamination. Tools and other surfaces potentially contaminated with
infectious saliva or body fluids must be disinfected with a 10 solution
of
sodium hypochlorite (household bleach) in water.
5. Pre-vaccination.
a)Cattaraugus County DPW employees performed and are expected to perform
animal
carcass collection and disposal. The Cattaraugus County DPW employees were
exposed
to the hazard of being infected with the rabies virus through possible
direct contact with
the saliva, blood and other body fluids of potentially rabid animals such
as skunks,
raccoons, deer, and foxes into open cuts or wounds in the skin or via
mucous
membranes. The Cattaraugus County DPW employees have not had rabies
exposure
control training, been provided with dedicated tools and personal
protective equipment,
and have not been offered pre-exposure vaccination.

Issued

Apr 10, 2008

Abate by

May 28, 2008

Issued

Apr 10, 2008

Abate by

Jul 10, 2008

Issued

Apr 10, 2008

Abate by

Apr 22, 2008