OSHA Inspection: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS - VA PALO ALTO HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

Issued

Apr 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.36(d): Exit door were locked:VA Palo Alto: On October 22, 2012, and at times prior thereto, designated exits were locked from the inside in the following locations:    a) Building 2, 2nd Floor B Wing: Two exit doors were locked from the inside and employees could not get out.  b). Building 5, 1st Floor B3 Corridor: The exit leading from the courtyard facing northwest was locked.

Issued

Apr 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(2)  Exit routes were not arranged so that employees did not have to travel toward a high hazard area:    VA Palo Alto, Building 7, Therapeautic Pool: On October 19, 2012, and at times prior thereto, a designated exit door led to an enclosed construction zone area where struck-by hazards were present.

Issued

Apr 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(b)(5): Each doorway or passage along an exit access that could be mistaken for an exit was not marked "Not an Exit" or similar designation, or be identified by a sign indicating its actual use (e.g. closet):    VA Palo Alto, Building 5, Wheelchair Repair Shop: On October 22, 2012, and at times prior thereto, an unmarked door was propped open and leading to the outside loading dock, which was an enclosed area, could have been mistaken as an exit.

Issued

Apr 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.101(b): The in-plant handling, storage, and utilization of all compressed gases in cylinders, portable tanks, rail tankcars, or motor vehicle cargo tanks were not in accordance with Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet P-1-1965, which is incorporated by reference as specified in CFR 1910.6:    VA Palo Alto, Building 5, Wheelchair Repair Shop: On October 19, 2012, and at times prior thereto, three oxygen cylinders were stored near the desk that were unchained and unsecured.

Issued

Apr 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.141(d)(2)(iii): Lavatories were not provided with hand soap or similar cleansing agent:    VA Palo Alto, Building 2: On October 11, 2012, and at times prior thereto, the four employees who worked on the 2nd Floor A Wing had to use the bathroom on the B Wing, which had not been cleaned, provided with hand soap or towels.

Issued

Apr 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.141(d)(2)(iv): Lavatories were not provided with individual hand towels or sections thereof, of cloth or paper, warm air blowers or clean individual sections of continuous cloth toweling:    VA Palo Alto, Building 2: On October 11, 2012, and at times prior thereto, the four employees who worked on the 2nd Floor A Wing had to use the bathroom on the B Wing, which had not been cleaned, provided with hand soap or towels.

Issued

Apr 5, 2013

Abate by

May 22, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.151(c): Where employees were exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body were not provided within the work area for immediate emergency use:    a) VA Palo Alto: On October 19 2012, and at times prior thereto, emergency eye wash and drenching stations were not provided in areas where corrosive chemicals were being stored and dispensed in the following locations;    b) Building 51, Warehouse: An eye wash and emergency drenching station was not provided near the forklift battery charging station.    c) Building 7, Therapeautic Pool: An eye wash and emergency drenching station was not provided where corrosive pool chemicals were dispensed.

Issued

Apr 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): One or more methods of machine guarding was not provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks:    VA Palo Alto: On October 19, 2012, and at times prior thereto, equipment was not provided with safeguarding to prevent unintentional contact in the following locations:    A. Machine/Weld Shop: The rotating notched chucks on both horizontal lathe machines were unguarded.   B. Building 51, Precision Model Shop: The rotating notched chucks on the horizontal lathe machine were unguarded.  C. Building 100, Pathology Lab: The paper cutter was not equipped with a guard.

Issued

Apr 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(5): Fan blade guards, where the periphery of the blades was less than seven feet above the floor or working level, had openings larger than one half inch:    VA Palo Alto, Welding Shop: On October 10, 2012, and at times prior thereto, the old fashion Acme Scale oscillating fan which was approximately five feet and five inches from the ground had a blade guard with three inch openings.

Issued

Apr 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(c)(4)(i): Unguarded projecting shaft end(s) did not present a smooth edge and end and projected more than one half the diameter of the shaft:    VA Palo Alto, Precision Model Shop A122: On October 22, 2012, and at times prior thereto, a portion of the Rockwell Delta Vertical Sander's metal frame was missing and the projecting shaft was exposed.

Issued

Apr 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(d)(1): Pulley(s) with part(s) seven feet or less from the floor or work platform were not guarded in accordance with the requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):    VA Palo Alto: On October 22, 2012, and at times prior thereto, belt and pulley drives were not properly guarded:    a) Building 4, Roof Mechanical Room: The back side of the belt and pulley drives on the exhaust blowers was left unguarded. The opening was approximately 17 inches long, nine inches wide, and about 15 inches from the main aisle way.    b) Building 6, 3rd Floor Mechanical Room: The back side of the belt and pulley drives on the exhaust blowers was left unguarded. On one of the blowers, the opening was approximately 11 inches long, ten inches wide, a foot away from it's electrical shutoff and about 15 inches from the main aisle way. On another, the opening was approximately nine inches long and nine inches wide, and within a foot of the electrical shutoff.    c) Building 51, Precision Model Shop A122: A portion of the Rockwell Delta Vertical Sander's metal frame was missing and the internal belt drive was exposed. The opening was approximately six inches long and five inches wide.

Issued

Apr 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(e)(1)(i):  Horizontal belts which had both runs 42 inches or less from the floor level were not fully enclosed by guards conforming to requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):    VA Palo Alto: On October 22, 2012, and at times prior thereto, belt and pulley drives were not properly guarded:    a.)Building 4, Roof Mechanical Room: The back side of the belt and pulley drives on the exhaust blowers was left unguarded. The opening was approximately 17 inches long, nine inches wide, and about 15 inches from the main aisle way.    b) Building 6, 3rd Floor Mechanical Room: The back side of the belt and pulley drives on the exhaust blowers was left unguarded. On one of the blowers, the opening was approximately 11 inches long, ten inches wide, a foot away from it's electrical shutoff and about 15 inches from the main aisle way. On another, the opening was approximately nine inches long and nine inches wide, and within a foot of the electrical shutoff.    c) Building 51, Precision Model Shop A122: A portion of the Rockwell Delta Vertical Sander's metal frame was missing and the internal belt drive was exposed. The opening was approximately six inches long and five inches wide.

Issued

Apr 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(2)(i): Pull boxes, junction boxes, and fittings were not provided with covers approved for the purpose:    VA Palo Alto, Building 7, A Wing Mechanical Room: On October 19, 2012, and at times prior thereto, a junction box approximately six feet off the ground was uncovered exposing live inner conductors which energized outlets and telecom wiring.

Issued

Apr 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(A): Flexible cords and cables were used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure:    VA Palo Alto: On October 19, 2012, and at times prior thereto, extension cords were used in lieu of permanent wiring:    a) Building 44, Paint Shop: An orange, three outlet extension cord was used to energize a 5025 RedD Mix five gallon paint shaker.    b) Building 7, Room A131: A yellow extension cord, daisy chained with a relocatable power strip and power supply box energized electronic equipment.    c) Building 100, Pathology Lab Room F4160: An orange extension cord was used to the UPS Battery Storage Unit which energizes office equipment.     d) Building 51, Precision Model Shop A122: An orange extension cord was energizing a portion of the Bridgeport milling machine.

Issued

Apr 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(B): Flexible cords and cables were run through holes in walls, ceilings, or floors:    VA Palo Alto, Boiler Plant: On October 10, 2012, and at times prior thereto, a flexible control cable for a sensing circuit was run through a hole in the concrete wall of the mechanical closet in the back of the Boiler Plant to outside.

Issued

Apr 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(iii): Flexible cords and cables were not connected to devices and fittings so that strain relief was provided that would prevent pull from being directly transmitted to joints or terminal screws:    VA Palo Alto, Carpenter Shop: On October 10, 2012, and at times prior thereto, the electrical insulation from the power cord which lead from the outlet box to the motor on the JoinTech CL12 Router was pulled from its fitting and covered with electrical tape.

Issued

Apr 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(b)(2): Each exit was not clearly visible and marked by a sign reading "Exit":    VA Palo Alto: On October 22, 2012, and at times prior thereto, exit doors were not clearly marked in the following locations:    a) Building 4, Main Electrical Switch Gear Room: A set of double doors leading to the outside and a single door leading to the 1st Floor hallway were not marked.    b) Building 101, C1-MEC Electrical Room: A set of double doors leading to the basement hallway and a single door leading outside were not marked.    c) Building 100, Clinic B Electrical Room: The two doors leading into the hallway and one door leading outside were not marked.     d)Building 5, Main Entrance South facing Stairwell: The door leading to the outside and the stairwell to access all floors was labeled both "EXIT" and "Not An Exit".    e) Building 6, Main Electrical Room: Two doors, one leading outside and the other leading into the hallway, were not marked.    DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, VISN 21 WAS PREVIOUSLY CITED FOR A VIOLATION OF THIS OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARD (29 CFR 1910.37(b)(2) AS REQUIRED BY 29 CFR 1960.8(b)) WHICH WAS CONTAINED IN OSHA INSPECTION NUMBER 109385 NOTICE NUMBER 3, ITEM NUMBER 1, ISSUED ON 05/07/2012 AND CONFIRMED AS A FINAL ORDER ON 06/12/2012 WITH RESPECT TO A WORKPLACE LOCATED AT 150 MUIR ROAD, MARTINEZ, CA 94553.

Issued

Apr 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(2): Listed or labeled electrical equipment was not used or installed in accordance with instructions included in the listing or labeling:    VA Palo Alto: On October 16, 2012, and at times prior thereto, electrical equipment was not in use in accordance to it's listing and labeling and were used as a substitute for permanent wiring:    a) Building 54, Room B-208: A relocatable power tap energized an infusion pump, a digital ventilator, a desk top power supply, and a heater.    b) Building 4, Room A-307: Two SurgeMaster relocatable power taps energized mixers, spinners, and centrifuges.     c) Building 101, Room B4-165: A relocatable power tap energized two large CO2 incubators.    d) Building 100 and 101 Eating Areas: Relocatable power taps energized kitchen equipment like microwaves, refrigerators and coffee machines.     e) Building 100, Eye Clinic: A relocatable power tap energized several pieces of opthalmology equipment.    f) Building 7, Room A131: A yellow extension was energized by a relocatable power tap, which energized another power supply box which energized a computer and other electronic equipment.    g) Building 51, Warehouse Break Area: A four square outlet box was unmounted and used as a relocatable power tap, which energized a TV and VCR.     h) Building 100, 2nd Floor, Dental Shop: A four square outlet box was used as a relocatable power tap energizing a curing machine and lamp.     DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, VISN 21 WAS PREVIOUSLY CITED FOR A VIOLATION OF THIS OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARD (29 CFR 1910.303(b)(2) AS REQUIRED BY 29 CFR 1960.8(b)) WHICH WAS CONTAINED IN OSHA INSPECTION NUMBER 109385 NOTICE NUMBER 1, ITEM NUMBER 6, ISSUED ON 05/07/2012 AND CONFIRMED AS A FINAL ORDER ON 06/12/2012 WITH RESPECT TO A WORKPLACE LOCATED AT 150 MUIR ROAD, MARTINEZ, CA 94553.

Issued

Apr 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.36(g)(2): Exit access(es) were not at least 28 inches (71.1 cm) wide at all points:    VA Palo Alto, Building 2, A Wing: On October 11, 2012, and at times prior thereto, an egress route directed employees out the back of the building where there was construction and along a fence partition, was only 25 inches in some spots along the route.     DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, VISN 21 WAS PREVIOUSLY CITED FOR A VIOLATION OF THIS OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARD (29 CFR 1910.36(g)(2) AS REQUIRED BY 29 CFR 1960.8(b)) WHICH WAS CONTAINED IN OSHA INSPECTION NUMBER 109608 NOTICE NUMBER 1, ITEM NUMBER 1, ISSUED ON 05/07/2012 AND CONFIRMED AS A FINAL ORDER ON 06/13/2012 WITH RESPECT TO A WORKPLACE LOCATED AT 2221 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. BLVD, OAKLAND, CA 94612.

Issued

Apr 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3): Exit route(s) were not kept free and unobstructed:    VA Palo Alto, Building 7, Therapeautic Pool: On October 19, 2012, and at times prior thereto, a large piece of plywood was blocking a designated exit door which lead to a construction zone.    DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, VISN 21 WAS PREVIOUSLY CITED FOR A VIOLATION OF THIS OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARD (29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3) AS REQUIRED BY 29 CFR 1960.8(b)) WHICH WAS CONTAINED IN OSHA INSPECTION NUMBER 109385 NOTICE NUMBER 1, ITEM NUMBER 2, ISSUED ON 05/07/2012 AND CONFIRMED AS A FINAL ORDER ON 06/12/2012 WITH RESPECT TO A WORKPLACE LOCATED AT 150 MUIR ROAD, MARTINEZ, CA 94553.

Issued

Apr 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1): Sufficient access and working space was not provided and maintained about all electric equipment (operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground) to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment:    VA Palo Alto, Building MB3, Fire Alarm Panel Node 13 Closet: A 350 Amp, 120/208v, three-phase electrical panel marked 3DPL, was blocked by a heavy metal ladder.    DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, VISN 21 WAS PREVIOUSLY CITED FOR A VIOLATION OF THIS OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARD (29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1) AS REQUIRED BY 29 CFR 1960.8(b)) WHICH WAS CONTAINED IN OSHA INSPECTION NUMBER 110227 NOTICE NUMBER 1, ITEM NUMBER 6, ISSUED ON 05/07/2012 AND CONFIRMED AS A FINAL ORDER ON 06/12/2012 WITH RESPECT TO A WORKPLACE LOCATED AT 10535 HOSPITAL WAY, MATHER, CA 95655.

Issued

Apr 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii): Unused openings in boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not effectively closed:    VA Palo Alto: On October 19, 2012, and at times prior thereto, unused openings were not effectively closed in the following locations:    a) Building 520, Engineering Rooms F-EC1: LEP1 120/208v panel board had three openings.    b) Building 520, Engineering Rooms E-ME1: LEUI panel board had four openings.    c) Building 520, Engineering Rooms E-ME1: LQU panel board had three openings.     DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, VISN 21 WAS PREVIOUSLY CITED FOR A VIOLATION OF THIS OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARD (29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii) AS REQUIRED BY 29 CFR 1960.8(b)) WHICH WAS CONTAINED IN OSHA INSPECTION NUMBER 110227 NOTICE NUMBER 1, ITEM NUMBER 7, ISSUED ON 05/07/2012 AND CONFIRMED AS A FINAL ORDER ON 06/12/2012 WITH RESPECT TO A WORKPLACE LOCATED AT 10535 HOSPITAL WAY, MATHER, CA 95655.