OSHA Inspection: COLUMBINE HEALTH SYSTEMS

Issued

Oct 13, 2011

Abate by

Nov 12, 2011

Penalty

Initial $2,295 · Current $1,377 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1)(i)(A): The depth of the working space in the direction of access to live parts may not be less than indicated in Table S-1:    (a) Columbine Health Systems DBA Centre Avenue Health & Rehab Facility, LLC at 815 Centre Ave. in Fort Collins, CO: On August 9, 2011 the disconnect switches for the dryers in the laundry room were blocked by laundry carts.  This condition exposed workers to an electrical hazard.    Abatement Note: Distances shall be measured from the live parts if they are exposed or from the enclosure front or opening if they are enclosed.    Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").

Issued

Oct 13, 2011

Abate by

Dec 1, 2011

Penalty

Initial $2,295 · Current $1,377 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv): The Exposure Control Plan was not reviewed and updated at least annually and whenever necessary to reflect new or modified tasks and procedures which affect occupational exposure and to reflect new or revised employee positions with occupational exposure:    (a) Columbine Health Systems DBA Centre Avenue Health & Rehab Facility, LLC at 815 Centre Ave. in Fort Collins, CO: The employer did not review and update the Exposure Control Plan at least annually.  The employer did not document annual consideration and implementation of safer medical devices.  The employer did not solicit non-managerial employees' input to identify, evaluate, and select effective engineering and work practice controls. This condition exposed employees to sharps injuries.    Abatement Note: The review and update of such plans shall:    Reflect changes in technology that eliminate or reduce exposure to bloodborne pathogens; and    Document annually consideration and implementation of appropriate commercially available and effective safer medical devices designed to eliminate or minimize occupational exposure.    An employer, who is required to establish an Exposure Control Plan, shall solicit input from non-managerial employees responsible for direct patient care who are potentially exposed to injuries from contaminated sharps in the identification, evaluation, and selection of effective engineering and work practice controls and shall document the solicitation in the Exposure Control Plan.    Abatement Note: The standard does not specify the level of detail that must be included in this documentation; however, sufficient information must be provided to substantiate the facility's judgment. As discussed in the preamble of the Final Rule, consideration and implementation of safer medical devices could be documented in the Exposure Control Plan by describing the safer devices identified as candidates for adoption; the method or methods used to evaluate devices and the results of the evaluations; and justification for selection decisions. (Excerpt from a Letter of Interpretation to Dr. Hyman on May 5, 2008)

Issued

Oct 13, 2011

Abate by

Nov 12, 2011

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1): The employer shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).     (a) Columbine Health Systems DBA Centre Avenue Health & Rehab Facility, LLC at 815 Centre Ave. in Fort Collins, CO: The employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards were present, or were likely to be present, which necessitated the use of personal protective equipment in that housekeeping and maintenance tasks involving chemical, electrical, or other hazards were not assessed to determine PPE requirements.  Lack of a PPE Hazard assessment may prevent employees from choosing and using the correct PPE for a task.    Abatement Note: If such hazards are present, or likely to be present, the employer shall:  Select, and have each affected employee use, the types of PPE that will protect the affected employee from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment;  Communicate selection decisions to each affected employee; and,  Select PPE that properly fits each affected employee. Note: Non-mandatory Appendix B contains an example of procedures that would comply with the requirement for a hazard assessment.    Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").

Issued

Oct 13, 2011

Abate by

Nov 12, 2011

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1030(g)(2)(vii)(F): The training program did not contain an explanation of the use and limitations of methods that will prevent or reduce exposure including appropriate engineering controls, work practices, and personal protective equipment:    (a) Columbine Health Systems DBA Centre Avenue Health & Rehab Facility, LLC at 815 Centre Ave. in Fort Collins, CO: On and before August 9, 2011 employees' bloodborne pathogen exposure control plan training did not include specific information on the contact time required to effectively disinfect surfaces for each disinfectant used at the facility.  This condition exposed employees to a bloodborne pathogens hazard.    Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").

Issued

Oct 13, 2011

Abate by

Nov 12, 2011

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(5)(i) The employer did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace was labeled, tagged or marked with the identity of the hazardous chemical(s) contained therein:    (a) Columbine Health Systems DBA Centre Avenue Health & Rehab Facility, LLC at 815 Centre Ave. in Fort Collins, CO: The employer did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace was labeled, tagged or marked with the identity of the hazardous chemicals contained within.  A RL Flomaster hand sprayer was found in the housekeeping supply room.  This condition exposed employees to a chemical hazard.    Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").

Issued

Oct 13, 2011

Abate by

Nov 12, 2011

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(8) The employer did not maintain in the workplace copies of the required material safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical:    (a) Columbine Health Systems DBA Centre Avenue Health & Rehab Facility, LLC at 815 Centre Ave. in Fort Collins, CO: the employer did not maintain copies of the required material safety data sheets (MSDS) for each hazardous chemical.  MSDSs were not available for numerous products in maintenance, including Kleen Strip Minteral Spirits and DAP Weldwood Contact Cement, or for the HDQ Neutral used onsite.  This condition exposed employees to a chemical hazard.    Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").