OSHA Inspection: WAPPINGERS CSD-FACILITIES & OPERATIONS DEPT

Issued

Jul 18, 2012

Abate by

Oct 15, 2012

General-duty citation text

NYSLL Article 2, Section 27-a.3.a(1):  The employer did not furnish
to each of its 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 its employees and which will
provide reasonable and adequate protection to the lives, safety,
and health of its employees.  In applying this paragraph,
fundamental distinctions between private and public employment have
been recognized.
a)  Wappingers Central School District-Facilities and
Operations Department:  During the performance of their assigned
duties, employees (i.e., groundskeepers) 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,
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.
The employer's awareness training was deficient in that not all
employees understood proper use of repellents, the proper clothing
for work in tick habitat, or the importance of seeking immediate
medical attention.
Reasonable and adequate methods to abate this hazard include,
but are not limited to: Implementing an educational program for
employees with exposure (i.e., groundskeepers) 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 method of removal of attached ticks, proper
clothing for work in tick habitat, and proper use of repellents and
insecticides.
Wappingers CSD groundskeepers could contract Lyme Disease by
working in tick habitats.  Lyme Disease is a recognized hazard for
groundskeepers in high to moderate risk areas.  The New York State
Department of Health recognizes Dutchess County, where the
groundskeepers must work, as a high risk area in New York State.
The employees have a potential of contracting Lyme Disease, which
causes serious physical harm. Reasonable and adequate abatement
methods include an effective educational program.

Issued

Jul 18, 2012

Abate by

Oct 15, 2012

Issued

Jul 18, 2012

Abate by

Oct 15, 2012

Issued

Jul 18, 2012

Abate by

Oct 15, 2012