OSHA Inspection: S GLENS FALLS VILL DPW

Issued

Nov 28, 2011

Abate by

Jan 12, 2012

Issued

Nov 28, 2011

Abate by

Jan 12, 2012

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 were exposed to:
In applying this paragraph, fundamental distinctions between
private and public employment have been recognized
a) South Glens Falls DPW - During the performance of their
assigned duties, employees are exposed to the hazard of contracting
Lyme Disease while working in tick habitat areas identified as
having a high or moderate risk of  harboring the tick vector of
Lyme Disease. This hazard is recognized by the Centers for Disease
Control in their June 4, 1999 publication, Recommendations for the
Use of Lyme Disease Vaccine, and Recommendations of the Advisory
Committee on Immunization Practices&. This hazard is not likely to
cause death but is likely to cause substantial illness and
impairment if not identified and treated promptly.
Reasonable and adequate methods to abate this hazard include, but
are not limited to:  1) Implement an education program for
employees with exposure which includes the signs and symptoms of
Lyme Disease infection, the importance of seeking immediate medical
attention, self inspection for attached ticks at the conclusion of
each work day when exposure to tick habitat occurred, the proper
method of removal of attached ticks, proper clothing for work in
tick habitat, and proper use of repellants and insecticides.

Issued

Nov 28, 2011

Abate by

Dec 29, 2011

Issued

Nov 28, 2011

Abate by

Jan 12, 2012

Issued

Nov 28, 2011

Abate by

Dec 22, 2011

Issued

Oct 28, 2011

Abate by

Dec 14, 2011

General-duty citation text

NYSLL Article 2, Section 27-a.3.a(1):  The employer did not furnish
employees 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 and which will provide reasonable and
adequate protection to the lives, safety or health of its
employees.  In applying this paragraph, fundamental distinctions
between private and public employment have been recognized.
a) South Glens Falls DPW - Employees assigned to pick up road kill
were exposed to the hazard of being infected with rabies virus
through direct contact with saliva of potentially rabid animals
(such as deer) being  introduced into open cuts or wounds in  the
skin via mucous membranes. Reasonable and adequate abatement
methods for reducing this hazard, among others, are:    (1)
Training. A comprehensive training program including proper
handling practices, personal protective equipment, the etiology and
modes of transmission of the disease, decontamination and avoidance
of animal/ saliva contact shall be implemented.
NOTE : Training shall be provided to all workers who are assigned
tasks where there is occupational exposure to rabies.
1. Highway Department employees were potentially exposed to
rabies while picking up road killed animals. Employees could
contract rabies if saliva from an infected animal enters a cut in
the skin.
2. Rabies exposure is a recognized hazard, as evidenced by NYSDOH
research and prevention programs, industry recognition, and common
sense recognition.
3. Rabies could cause serious physical harm or death.
4.  Feasible and useful abatement method is to provide training to
the employees assigned to pick up road kill.