OSHA Inspection: ST. PETER'S HOSPITAL OF THE CITY OF ALBANY, NEW YORK

Issued

2014-11-26 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-12-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3400.00 · Current $2485.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.138(a): The employer did not select and require employee(s) to use appropriate hand protection when employees' hands were exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasion; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature extremes:    (a) On or about September 30, 2014, in the clinical laboratories, for employees using Medline FitGuard Nitrile FG2502 Series gloves for hand protection while pouring chemicals such as methanol and glacial acetic acid. The manufacturer has conducted testing on the breakthrough of these gloves and is not recommending these gloves be used for protection against these chemicals.

Issued

2014-11-26 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-01-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1450(e)(1): Where hazardous chemicals were used in the workplace, the employer did not develop and carry out the provisions of a written Chemical Hygiene Plan which was capable of protecting employees from health hazards associated with hazardous chemicals:    (a) On or about September 30, 2014, for the clinical hospital laboratories, for employees handling chemicals such as 6N hydrochloric acid, glacial acetic acid, sulfuric acid, citric acid, and methanol while processing laboratory samples. The employer did not develop a written Chemical Hygiene Plan.

Issued

2014-11-26 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-01-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4250.00 · Current $2485.00 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 September 23, 2014, in the clinical laboratory, urine samples for analysis were being transported through the Swisslog pneumatic tube using the Becton, Dickinson and Company urine collection system #364956. The cup used to collect the sample was not leak proof and the urine leaked out of the cup. The cup was equipped with a sharp in the lid that was not disposed of at the collection site, the Emergency Room, prior to coming to the lab. The cup was stored in the refrigerator after analysis was collected of the tubes and then discarded. The urine collection cup with the sharp was being sent to the clinical laboratory because the Emergency Room lacked a large enough sharps container to dispose of the lid with the sharp. This collection cup was not necessary for the analysis because the samples had been collected in tubes that were analyzed.    (b) On or about September 30, 2014, in the clinical laboratory, racks of blood samples being held in the refrigerator were stacked three to four high on top of each other without any dividers or shelving between the racks to stabilize them. The racks were observed tipping and being unevenly stacked due to the different heights of the tubes inserted into the racks. These samples were held for seven days awaiting future lab testing, if necessary. If necessary testing was ordered, employees would have to locate and retrieve the appropriate sample from the refrigerator.    (c) On or about September 23, 2014, in the clinical laboratory at the Swiss Log pneumatic tube station, blood samples and other potentially infectious materials for analysis were being delivered to the lab for analysis through the pneumatic tube system in carriers without foam liners. The facility's written procedure, "Lab/Shared/Chemistry/Pneumatic Tube System Procedure" dated November 09 requires that the carriers be shipped with foam liners. The Center for Disease Control publication entitled, "The Guidelines for Safe Work Practices in Human and Animal Medical diagnostic Laboratories" published on January 6, 2012 on page 15 recommends that absorbent wadding be used to help absorb spills and minimize outside contamination of the carrier.