OSHA Inspection: U.S. DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS SAN FRANCISCO VAMC

Issued

Feb 15, 2013

Abate by

Feb 25, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1960.8(a):  The Agency head did not furnish employment and a place of employment to each employee that were free from recognized hazards that caused or were likely to cause death or serious physical harm in that VA employees were exposed to viable cultures of multiple sero-groups of Neisseria meningitidis while performing microbiological work without using recognized standard protective practices and procedures for laboratory work:      a) San Francisco Veterans Administration Medical Center, Research Laboratory 590: On April 28, 2012, and at times prior thereto, the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs failed to provide available vaccines for its employees who were potentially exposed to different Neisseria meningitidis sero-groups when microbiological work with a viable bacteria culture was conducted within the lab.

Issued

Feb 15, 2013

Abate by

Feb 25, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1960.8(d):  The Agency did not require employee(s) to use approved safety equipment:     a) San Francisco Veterans Administration Medical Center, Research Laboratory 590: On April 28, 2012, and at times prior thereto, the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs did not require that employees use the Nu Aire Class II, Type B1, Biological Safety Cabinet when performring all microbiological work with a viable bacteria culture. A U.S. Dept of Veterans Affairs employee who was potentially exposed to Neisseria meningitidis when inoculating live bacteria outside the BioSafety Cabinet and fatally contracted an infection.

Issued

Feb 15, 2013

Abate by

Feb 25, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1960.59(a):  The Agency did not provide specialized job safety and health training appropriate to the work performed by the employee:     a) San Francisco Veterans Administration Medical Center, Research Laboratory 590: On April 28, 2012, and at times prior thereto, the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs failed to provide training to employees on the signs and symptoms of illnesses as a result of employee exposure to Neisseria meningitidis.