OSHA Inspection: COMMUNITY HEALTH CONNECTIONS

Issued

Sep 30, 2013

Abate by

Oct 25, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $6,300

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv): The Exposure Control Plan was not reviewed and updated at least annually and whenever necessary to reflect new or modified tasks and procedures which affect occupational exposure and to reflect new or revised employee positions with occupational exposure. The review and update of such plans shall also:   (A) Reflect changes in technology that eliminate or reduce exposure to bloodborne pathogens; and (B) Document annually consideration and implementation of appropriate commercially available and effective safer medical devices designed to eliminate or minimize occupational exposure.     (a) On or about July 2, 2013, in the dental section of the Community Health Connections facility at 275 Nichols Road in Fitchburg, MA: Employees were exposed to potential bloodborne pathogens hazards and the employer's Exposure Control Plan was not reviewed and updated in 2012 or 2013 in accordance with this subpart.

Issued

Sep 30, 2013

Abate by

Oct 25, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1030(h)(5)(i)(A): The employer did not maintain a sharps injury log that contained at a minimum the type and brand of device involved in the incident:   (a) On or about July 2, 2013, in the dental section of the Community Health Connections facility, 275 Nichols Road in Fitchburg, MA: The employer's sharps injury log for the current year did not contain the brand of the device used during a sharps incident on June 5, 2013.

Issued

Sep 30, 2013

Abate by

Oct 25, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(3)(x): Masks in combination with eye protection devices, such as goggles or glasses with solid side shields, or chin-length face shields, were not worn whenever splashes, spray, spatter or droplets of blood or other potentially infectious materials may be generated and eye, nose or mouth contamination can be reasonably anticipated:    (a) On or about July 2, 2013, in the dental section of Community Health Connections at 275 Nichols Road Fitchburg, MA: One dental assistant employee, involved in patient treatment, did not wear goggles or glasses with solid side shields exposing that employee to a contact with biological substances hazard.

Issued

Sep 30, 2013

Abate by

Oct 25, 2013

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1030(f)(3)(ii)(A): The post-exposure evaluation and follow-up of an exposure incident did not include testing the source individual's blood as soon as feasible and after consent was obtained in order to determine HBV and HIV infectivity:     (a) On or about June 6, 2013, in the dental section of the Community Health Connections facility at 275 Nichols Road in Fitchburg, MA: Following a sharps incident in which a dentist had a percutaneous exposure during a tooth extraction, the source individual's blood was not obtained and tested as soon as feasible in accordance with this subpart.

Issued

Sep 30, 2013

Abate by

Oct 25, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1030(f)(3)(v): The post-exposure evaluation and follow-up of an exposure incident did not include counseling:     (a) On or about June 5, 2013, in the dental section of the Community Health Connections facility, 275 Nichols Road in Fitchburg, MA: An exposed employee did not receive counseling in accordance with this subpart.

Issued

Sep 30, 2013

Abate by

Oct 25, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,700 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1):  The employer did not develop, implement, and/or maintain at the workplace a written hazard communication program which describes how the criteria specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) will be met:      a) On or about July 1, 2013, in the dental section at 275 Nichols Road in Fitchburg, MA: Employees used a variety of disinfecting, cleaning and dental chemicals (including, but not limited to, isopropyl alcohol, amalgam, etc.) and the employer had not developed and implemented a written hazard communication program in accordance with this subpart.

Issued

Sep 30, 2013

Abate by

Oct 25, 2013

Penalty

Initial $900 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1030(g)(2)(vii)(D): The bloodborne pathogens training program did not contain an explanation of the employer's exposure control plan and the means by which the employee could obtain a copy of the written plan:      (a) On or about July 2, 2013, in the dental section of the Community Health Connections facility, 275 Nichols Road in Fitchburg, MA: Employees (both dentists and dental assistants) did not receive training on their employer's Exposure Control Plan.