OSHA Inspection: GATEWAY

Issued

Jul 10, 2015

Abate by

Aug 30, 2016

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $3,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to the hazard of violent behaviors and being physically assaulted by adolescent clients with known histories of violence or the potential for violence, causing serious injuries to the employees working in a Gateway residential habilitation services program:    a) On or about 02/15/15 - Casey Cottage, a mental health technician was grabbed from behind by a client and placed in a choke hold while another mental health technician was away in the bathroom.    b) On or about 02/04/15 - Dining Hall,  a shift supervisor/cottage supervisor was punched several times in the head by a client while she was cleaning the dining hall.      c) On or about 01/09/15 - Sidewalk, a mental health technician injured her right hand while attempting to restrain an aggressive client and fell.    d) On or about 01/01/15 - Hub Building, a shift supervisor/cottage supervisor was injured in the back when objects were thrown by a client while she was attempting to calm another client down.    Among other methods, feasible means to abate this hazard would be:     a)     Develop and implement a stand-alone Workplace Violence Prevention Program addressing the needs of the mental health technicians/employees who are interacting with the clients on a daily basis. Provide mental health technicians with protective measures, guidance, and support. Conduct quarterly program reviews to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of the program.      b)    Develop and implement procedures to ensure that each mental health technician is informed of a client's past and current behaviors. Ensure that information about an incoming client's potential for violence and possible triggers is transmitted down to all mental health technicians on all shifts. These procedures would facilitate a cross flow of information about incidents and behaviors and would solicit input for a course of action and positive solution.      c)     Conduct a hazard assessment of each work location to identify hazardous equipment or items that may be used as weapons. Upon completion of the hazard assessment, develop policies and procedures to effectively isolate or secure hazardous items when not in use. Review the assessment quarterly.    d)    Establish a comprehensive program of medical and psychological counseling and debriefing for employees experiencing or witnessing assaults and other violent incidents.       e)     Develop procedures for situations when normal restraint procedures fail.