OSHA Inspection: ATHENS PULMONARY AND ALLERGY, P.C.

Issued

Nov 15, 2012

Abate by

Dec 16, 2012

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,950 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1):     The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards in that employees were exposed to the potential hazards resulting from contact with patients having unsuspected or potentially transmissible tuberculosis.  The policies and procedures developed by the employer wre insufficient to promptly identify these particular patients so that they could be masked and /or isolated pending treatment or transfer to another facility.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.13(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.    Among several options of feasible means of abatement would be the development and implementation of a series of administrative, environmental, and /or respiratory protection control measures.  These measures could include, but are not limited to, establishing and implementing a protocol for early identification of patients with suspected tuberculosis; isolating these patients; and providing training and information regarding these procedures.

Issued

Nov 15, 2012

Abate by

Dec 10, 2012

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(a)(2):     A respirator was not provided by the employer to each employee when such equipment was necessary to protect the health of the employee:    On or about 5/17/12 at Athens Pulmonary and Allergy, P.C., employees were exposed to hazards associated with infectious diseases such as but not limited to tuberculosis, Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), and influenza because respirators were not provided where employees were in contact with patients who exhibited symptoms.

Issued

Nov 15, 2012

Abate by

Dec 16, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1030(c)(1)(i):     The employer having employee(s) with occupational exposure did not establish a written Exposure Control Plan designed to eliminate or minimize employee exposure:    (a) On or about 5/17/12 at Athens Pulmonary and Allergy, P.C., employees providing patient care such as but not limited to administering injectable medications and vaccinations for flu and pneumonia and diagnostics such as TB skin tests and allergen scratch tests, were exposed to hazards associated with bloodborne pathogens because the employer failed to put in place an exposure control plan that was designed to control or minimize employee exposures. Employees interacted with patients whose signs and symptoms indicated the potential for exposure to blood and other potentially infectious material (OPIM).

Issued

Nov 15, 2012

Abate by

Dec 16, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1030(g)(2)(i):     The employer failed to train each employee with occupational exposure in accordance with the requirements of this section.    On or about 5/17/12 at Athens Pulmonary and Allergy, P.C., employees were exposed to hazards associated with bloodborne pathogens because the employer failed to ensure that staff who had occupational exposure from tasks including but not limited to vaccination, TB skin tests, and administration of allergen scratch tests and injectable medications were provided training on bloodborne pathogens. Training deficiencies were noted and included but were not limited to the acceptability of recapping.

Issued

Nov 15, 2012

Abate by

Dec 10, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)(i):     Engineering and work practice controls were not used to eliminate or minimize employees exposure:    (a) On or about 5/17/12 at Athens Pulmonary and Allergy, P.C., employees were exposed to hazards associated with bloodborne pathogens because the employer failed to ensure that allergy scratch tests and tuberculin skin tests (TSTs) were delivered using sharps that incorporated safer needle devices.

Issued

Nov 15, 2012

Abate by

Dec 10, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)(vii):     Contaminated needles and other contaminated sharps were bent, recapped, or removed:    On or about 5/17/12 at Athens Pulmonary and Allergy, P.C., employees were exposed to hazards associated with bloodborne pathogens because the employer failed to ensure that employees did not recap needles in that new staff were trained to recap.

Issued

Nov 15, 2012

Abate by

Dec 10, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(A)(4):     Reusable containers for contaminated sharps were opened, emptied, or cleaned manually or in another manner which exposed employees to the risk of percutaneous injury:    (a) On or about 5/17/12 at Athens Pulmonary and Allergy, P.C., employees providing patient care such as but not limited to administering injectable medications and vaccinations for flu and pneumonia and diagnostics such as TB skin tests were exposed to hazards associated with bloodborne pathogens because the employer allowed staff to reuse containers, into which sharps including but not limited to hypodermic needles were deposited, to be opened and emptied by hand into a larger, secondary sharps container.

Issued

Nov 15, 2012

Abate by

Dec 10, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1030(f)(1)(i):     The employer did not make available the hepatitis B vaccine and vaccination series to all employees who have occupational exposure:    On or about 5/17/12 at Athens Pulmonary and Allergy, P.C., employees were exposed to hazards associated with bloodborne pathogens because the employer failed to ensure that employees who had occupational exposure from tasks including but not limited to vaccination and administration of allergen scratch tests were offered the hepatitis B vaccination series.