OSHA Inspection: VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION- BEDFORD

Issued

Jun 11, 2013

Abate by

Jul 24, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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 as required by 29 CFR 1960.8(b):  (a) Location - Dental Services: On or about March 1, 2013, engineering controls for the removal of contaminated scalpel blades from standard stainless steel handle were not implemented.  Employees remove the contaminated blades using forceps.  Additionally, safer scalpel systems with built-in blade systems were not available.      The Veterans Health Administration was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.1030(d)(2)(i), which was contained in OSHA inspection number  312392285, citation number  2, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on 11/08/2010, with respect to a workplace located at  3710 S.W. U.S. Veterans Hospital Road, Portland, OR.

Issued

Jun 11, 2013

Abate by

Aug 31, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv)(A): The review and update of the exposure control plan did not reflect changes in technology that elimnate or reduce exposure to bloodborne pathogens as required by 29 CFR 1960.8(b):    a) Location - Establishment:  On or about February 15, 2013, the employer provided written bloodborne pathogens Exposure Control Plan had not been reviewed and updated appropriately to reflect new technology such as, but not limited to:  safer scalpel systems.       The Veterans Health Administration was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.1030(c)(iv)(A), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 311907844 , citation number 1, item number 18 and was affirmed as a final order on 01/22/2009, with respect to a workplace located at 1055 Clermont Street, Denver, CO.

Issued

Jun 11, 2013

Abate by

Aug 31, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv)(B): The review and update of the exposure control plan did not document annually consideration and implementation of appropriate commercially available and effective safer medical devices designed to eliminate or minimize occupational exposure as required by 29 CFR 1960.8(b):     a) Location - Establishment:   On or about February 15, 2013, the employer provided written bloodborne pathogens Exposure Control Plan did not include documentation of annual consideration and evaluation of safer medical devices designed to eliminate or minimize occupational exposure.     The Veterans Health Administration was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv)(B), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 315273680, citation number 1, item number 2(b) and was affirmed as a final order on 04/26/2011, with respect to a workplace located at  4100 West Third Street, Dayton, OH.       Abatement Note:  In addition to requiring all affected departments to participate annually, the VA Medical Center must also justify through employee input the continued use of unsafe sharps devices. This justification must be based upon patient safety or medical integrity, or documentation that no safer sharps device is currently available.  Documentation of the annual consideration and evaluation must be included in the Exposure Control Plan and could be included as an Appendix.