OSHA Inspection: ARCHER VETERINARY CLINIC

Issued

Apr 18, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,470 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1): Every open-sided floor or platform 4 feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level shall be guarded by a standard railing (or the equivalent as specified in paragraph (e)(3) of this section) on all open sides except where there is entrance to a ramp, stairway, or fixed ladder. The railing shall be provided with a toeboard wherever, beneath the open sides,  a. Second Floor/Walking Surface - On or about March 6, 2014, the walking floor area was not adequately guarded with a standard guardrail system.   Employees on the first floor were exposed to struck by hazards from above four (4) feet ground level. The walking floor area's guardrail system was missing the following components;  1.  The standard railing system for the walking floor area was missing its midrails.  2. The standard railing system for the walking floor area was not provided with toebords.

Issued

Apr 18, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,470 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(2)(i): All pull boxes, junction boxes, and fittings shall be provided with covers identified for the purpose. If metal covers are used, they shall be grounded. In completed installations, each outlet box shall have a cover, faceplate, or fixture canopy. Covers of outlet boxes having holes through which flexible cord pendants pass shall be provided with bushings designed for the purpose or shall have smooth, well-rounded surfaces on which the cords may bear.  a. Doctor's Office - On or about March 6, 2014, the employer had components of the electric equipment system that were not effectively closed. Employees were thereby potentially exposed to electric shocks. The components and their locations of the electrical equipment not effectively closed were the following;   1. First Floor/Doctor's Office - a power outlet box for electric equipment (computers, printers, and other office equipment) was missing its cover or faceplate.  2. Second Floor/Hallway - a switch outlet box for a ligth bulb was missing its cover or faceplate.

Issued

Apr 18, 2014

Abate by

Jun 5, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,960 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1290

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1048(d)(2): Initial monitoring. The employer shall identify all employees who may be exposed at or above the action level or at or above the STEL and accurately determine the exposure of each employee so identified.  a. Clinical Laboratory - On or about March 7, 2014, the employer had not conducted initial monitoring to determine exposure levels at or above the action level (AL) or at or above the short term exposure level (STEL) to formaldehyde (HCHO) when conducting diagnostic procedures of animal's body fluids. Employees were exposed to the chemical hazards of aldehydes. The employee's job classifications and work operations were the following;  1. Certified veterinarians technitians when conducting analysis on zoonotic diseases.  2. Associate veterinarians when conducting analysis on zoonotic diseases.

Issued

Apr 18, 2014

Abate by

Jun 5, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1290

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1048(m)(3)(ii): Information on labels. As a minimum, for all materials listed in paragraph (m)(1)(i) capable of releasing formaldehyde at levels of 0.1 ppm to 0.5 ppm, labels shall identify that the product contains formaldehyde; list the name and address of the responsible party; and stated that physical and health hazard information was readily available from the employer and from material safety data sheets.  a. First Floor/Clinical Laboratory - On or about March 6, 2014, the employer did not ensure that the appropriate information on the plastic bottle containing a liquid mixture of formaldehyde (HCHO/32 oz.) listed the name and the address of the chemical manufacturer and other health and physical information. Employees were thereby exposed to the chemical hazards of aldehydes.

Issued

Apr 18, 2014

Abate by

Jun 5, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1290

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1048(m)(3)(iii): For materials listed in paragraph (m)(1)(i) capable of releasing formaldehyde at levels above 0.5 ppm, labels shall appropriately address all hazards as defined in 29 CFR 1910.1200 (d) and 29 CFR 1910.1200 Appendices A and B, including respiratory sensitization, and shall contain the words "Potential Cancer Hazard."   a. First Floor/Clinical Laboratory - On or about March 6, 2014, the employer required employees to conduct diagnostic analysis with liquid mixture of formaldehyde (HCHO/32 oz.).  Employees were thereby exposed to the chemical hazards of aldehydes.

Issued

Apr 18, 2014

Abate by

Jun 5, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1290

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1048(m)(5): Written hazard communication program. The employer shall develop, implement, and maintain at the workplace, a written hazard communication program for formaldehyde exposures in the workplace, which at a minimum describes how the requirements specified in this paragraph for labels and other forms of warning and material safety data sheets, and paragraph (n) for employee information and training, will be met. Employers in multi-employer workplaces shall comply with the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(2).   a. Entire Clinic - On or about March 6, 2014, the employer had not developed, implemented, and maintained at the workplace, a written hazard communication program hazardous chemicals including formaldehyde exposures at the workplace. Employees were thereby exposed to the chemical hazards of aldehydes.

Issued

Apr 18, 2014

Abate by

Jun 5, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1)(i): Select, and have each affected employee use, the types of PPE that will protect the affected employee from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment;    a. Examination and X Ray Rooms - On or about March 7, 2014, the employer had not adequately selected and had each affected employee use the adequate personal protective equipment to protect them when handling animal patients (cats and dogs). Employees were thereby exposed to first aid injuries.

Issued

Apr 18, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8290

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. X - Rays Room - On or about March 6, 2014, the employer did not have the " Radiation" sign conspicuously posted. Employees were thereby exposed to the hazards of ionizng radiation.