OSHA Inspection: THE SPIRIT OF 76 VETERINARY CLINIC, SC

Issued

Dec 12, 2012

Abate by

Jan 31, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $1,250 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1096(d)(1):     Every employer shall make such surveys as may be necessary for him to comply with the provisions in this section. Survey means an evaluation of the radiation hazards incident to the production, use, release, disposal, or presence of radioactive materials or other sources of radiation under a specific set of conditions. When appropriate, such evaluation includes a physical survey of the location of materials and equipment, and measurements of levels of radiation or concentrations of radioactive material present.      (a)  The employer failed to take appropriat steps to determine the level of radiaton exposure to employees taking animal x-rays.  Expired dosimetry badges were used and were not submitted for analysis in a timely fashion.  Ring badges were not used to determine exposure to extremities while positioning and holding animals down.

Issued

Dec 12, 2012

Abate by

Apr 19, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1096(n)(1):     Every employer shall maintain records of the radiation exposure of all employees for whom personnel monitoring is required under paragraph (d) of this section and advise each of his employees of his individual exposure on at least an annual basis.    (a)  The employer failed to maintain records of employee exposure to x-ray radiation.  Expired badges were used and not submitted for valid dosimetry analysis.

Issued

Dec 12, 2012

Abate by

Apr 1, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $1,250 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1):     Employers shall develop, implement, and maintain at each workplace, a written hazard communication program which at least describes how the criteria specified in paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) of this section for labels and other forms of warning, material safety data sheets, and employee information and training will be met, and which also includes the following:    (a)  The employer did not develop a written hazard communication and it required elements such as a listing of chemicals, labelling of bottles, obtaining material safety data sheets and training employees.  Employees are exposed to anesthetics, antisceptics, biocides, and cleaning chemicals routinely.

Issued

Dec 12, 2012

Abate by

Jan 31, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $1,250 Reduced

Hazardous substances F118

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(8):     The employer shall maintain in the workplace copies of the required material safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical, and shall ensure that they are readily accessible during each work shift to employees when they are in their work area(s). (Electronic access, microfiche, and other alternatives to maintaining paper copies of the material safety data sheets are permitted as long as no barriers to immediate employee access in each workplace are created by such options.)      (a)  The employer did not maointain material safety data sheets for the chemicals used.  Employees routinely used anesthetics, antisceptics, biocides and cleaning suplplies.

Issued

Dec 12, 2012

Abate by

Apr 1, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $1,250 Reduced

Hazardous substances F118

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1):     Employers shall provide employees with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment, and whenever a new physical or health hazard the employees have not previously been trained about is introduced into their work area. Information and training may be designed to cover categories of hazards (e.g., flammability, carcinogenicity) or specific chemicals. Chemical-specific information must always be available through labels and material safety data sheets.      (a)  Employees were not trained on the job site specific chemicals used.  They did not know how to obtain material safety data sheets.  Employees routinely used anesthetics, anisceptics, biocides and cleaning products.

Issued

Dec 12, 2012

Abate by

Jan 2, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1096(e)(2):     Radiation area. Each radiation area shall be conspicuously posted with a sign or signs bearing the radiation caution symbol described in subparagraph (1) of this paragraph and the words:  CAUTION  RADIATION AREA      (a)  The door to the animal x-ray room did not have the signage (radiation symbol and warning words) notifying employees of potential radiation hazard.  The door was marked with a "radiology" name plate and paper direction for employees to use required personal protective equipment.