OSHA Inspection: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, VA CONNECTICUT HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

Issued

Dec 1, 2015

Abate by

Dec 18, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(1): All places of employment, passageways, storerooms or service rooms were not kept clean and orderly or in a sanitary condition.  Building 5, Tunnel Area outside room CB26 Water leaks, along with a metal bucket used to catch water from the leaks, exposed employees to slipping and tripping hazards while walking through the basement tunnel area.

Issued

Dec 1, 2015

Abate by

Dec 28, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(2): Floor(s) of workroom(s) were not maintained in a clean and, so far as possible, a dry condition:  Building 1, 9th Floor, Room 9 166 A constant air conditioning leak caused either water to accumulate on the floor or employees to maintain a large bucket directly in the middle of the doorway which exposed employees to slipping and tripping hazards.

Issued

Dec 1, 2015

Abate by

Dec 11, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(3)(ii): Point(s) of operation of machinery were not guarded to prevent employee(s) from having any part of their body in the danger zone(s) during operating cycle(s):   Building 2, Ground Floor, Room G142 EMS Supply Storage / Labor Department  The DeWALT DW713 cut off saw which was being used with an abrasive blade to cut metal had a broken hood guard that did not adjust to cover the un-used portion of the blade.

Issued

Dec 1, 2015

Abate by

Dec 28, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(f)(2): Each service, feeder, and branch circuit, at its disconnecting means or overcurrent device, was not legibly marked to indicate its purpose, nor located and arranged so the purpose was evident:  a) Building 24, 1st Floor The Federal Electric Products 120/208 volt electrical panel (24-PL-1) was not adequately marked to indicate the purpose of its branch circuits.   b) Building 24, 1st Floor The Federal Electric Products 120/208 volt electrical distribution panel (24-LP-1) was not adequately marked to indicate the purpose of its branch circuits    c) Electric Shop The General Electric 120/208 volt electrical distribution panel Bus:15-Elec Shop was not adequately marked to indicate the purpose of its branch circuits.   d) Building 2, Ground Floor, Room 139 The two Westinghouse 120/208 volt electrical distribution panels (P-SG-E4 and P-SG-E3) were not adequately marked to indicate the purpose of their branch circuits.   e) Building 2, Ground Floor, Room G141 The Westinghouse 277/480 volt electrical distribution panel (LH-B1-EIB2) was not adequately marked to indicate the purpose of the branch circuits. The Cutter-Hamer 120/208 volt electrical distribution panel (NL/BI/ED/B2) was not adequately marked to indicate the purpose of the branch circuits.

Issued

Dec 1, 2015

Abate by

Dec 9, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(a)(2)(x): 29 CFR 1910.305(a)(2)(x):  Flexible cords and cables were not protected from accidental damage, as might be caused, for example, by sharp corners, projections, and doorways or other pinch points:  Building 1, Ground Floor, Shipping and Receiving Department The two electrical extension cords which were used to charge the powered industrial trucks were damaged and had their energized conductors exposed.

Issued

Dec 1, 2015

Abate by

Dec 9, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.333(a)(1): Live parts to which an employee was exposed were not deenergized before the employee worked on or near them:  a) Building 1, 1st Floor, Outside room 1 104   The energized electrical circuit for an emergency exit sign, which was in the process of being removed, had not been de-energized prior to the employee performing work.  b) Building 1, Sub Ground, Mechanical Room 177  The energized electrical  control box for the "Sewer Ejector Pump below SPS" was not de-energized before employees opened the box and worked within close proximity to the live electrical parts.

Issued

Dec 1, 2015

Abate by

Dec 11, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(8): The employer did not sure that all portable containers of hazardous chemicals were being stored and used for extended periods of time were adequately labeled:    Building 1, Sub-ground, Mailroom  A small clear bottle of yellow liquid was not labeled to indicate the contents of the container.

Issued

Dec 1, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1) as required by 29 CFR 1960.8(b): Open-sided floors and/or platforms four feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level were not guarded with standard railings (or equivalent) and toeboards:  a) Building 1, Sub Ground, Mechanical Room 177 The  115 inch long by 98 inch wide mechanical pit with fall hazard of between 5 feet 8 inches and 9 feet deep was not protected by an adequate guardrail system.  b) Building 1, Sub Ground, Mechanical Room 177 The 80 inch long by 60 inch wide mechanical pit with a fall hazard of approximately feet 8 inches was not protected by an adequate guardrail system.  The Department of Veterans Affairs was previously cited in Region I for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1),  in OSHA Inspection Number 315235960, Notice Number 01, Item Number 02, issued August 9, 2011  with respect to workplace located at 950 Campbell Ave in West Haven, CT. The final order date for the citation was September 21, 2011.

Issued

Dec 1, 2015

Abate by

Dec 18, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.36(d)(1) as required by 29 CFR 1960.8(b): Employee(s) were not able to open an exit route door from the inside at all times without keys, tools, or special knowledge:  a) Building 2, Ground Floor, Room G139A The rear emergency exit door was locked and required a specific key in order to open.  b) Building 11, 1st Floor The rear emergency exit door from the kitchen area was dead bolted shut and required special knowledge in order to open it.  c) Building 5, 2nd Floor, Virology Laboratory The single exit from the Virology Lab was locked with a dead bolt type lock and required special knowledge for anyone needing to exit from this area.   The Department of Veterans Affairs was previously cited in Region IX for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.36(d)(1),  in OSHA Inspection Number 678158, Notice Number 01, Item Number 1, issued April 5, 2013  with respect to workplace located at 3801 Miranda Ave in Palo Alto, CA. The final order date for the citation was May 17, 2013.

Issued

Dec 1, 2015

Abate by

Dec 11, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.36(g)(2) as required by 29 CFR 1960.8(b): Exit access(es) were not at least 28 inches (71.1 cm) wide at all points.  Building 2, 7th Floor, Laboratory Room 27 227 The designated emergency exit route from the laboratory was obstructed by several large refrigerators and did not allow at least 28 inches of clearance.     The Department of Veterans Affairs was previously cited in Region IX for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.36(g)(2),  in OSHA Inspection Number 678158, Notice Number 03, Item Number 01, issued April 5, 2013  with respect to workplace located at 3801 Miranda Ave in Palo Alto, CA. The final order date for the citation was May 17, 2013.

Issued

Dec 1, 2015

Abate by

Dec 9, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3) as required by 29 CFR 1960.8(b): Exit route(s) were not kept free and unobstructed:  Building 12 The second floor exit door was blocked by two stationary office chairs and a large pallet.    The Department of Veterans Affairs was previously cited in Region IX for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3),  in OSHA Inspection Number 678158, Notice Number 03, Item Number 02, issued April 5, 2013  with respect to workplace located at 3801 Miranda Ave in Palo Alto, CA. The final order date for the citation was May 17, 2013.

Issued

Dec 1, 2015

Abate by

Dec 28, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(b)(2) as required by 29 CFR 1960.8(b): Each exit was not clearly visible and marked by a sign reading "Exit":  a) Building 22 (Paint Shop) The single emergency exit from the Paint Shop was not marked to indicate that it was an emergency exit.  b) Building 2, TB VSO 3 Laboratory The designated emergency exit from the Laboratory was not marked EXIT with an adequate EXIT sign.  c) Building 1, Pharmacy The rear emergency exit was not clearly marked EXIT in a legible sign that was at least 6 inches high.  d) Building 16 (Boiler Plant) The back hallway emergency exit was not clearly marked EXIT in a legible sign that was at least 6 inches high.   The Department of Veterans Affairs was previously cited in Region IX for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.37(b)(2),  in OSHA Inspection Number 678158, Notice Number 02, Item Number 01, issued April 5, 2013  with respect to workplace located at 3801 Miranda Ave in Palo Alto, CA. The final order date for the citation was May 17, 2013.

Issued

Dec 1, 2015

Abate by

Apr 4, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i) as required by 29 CFR 1960.8(b): Procedures were not developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees were engaged in activities covered by this section:    Specific written procedures were not developed and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy.      The Department of Veterans Affairs was previously cited in Region I for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i),  in OSHA Inspection Number 788901, Notice Number 03, Item Number 02a, issued June 11, 2013  with respect to workplace located at 200 Springs Road in Bedford, MA. The final order date for the citation was July 11, 2013.

Issued

Dec 1, 2015

Abate by

Apr 4, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii) as required by 29 CFR 1960.8(b): Procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be utilized for the control of hazardous energy, and the means to enforce compliance including, but not limited to, 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(A), (c)(4)(ii)(B), (c)(4)(ii)(C) and (c)(4)(ii)(D):    The written energy control procedure did not clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules and techniques to be followed for the control of hazardous energy.      The Department of Veterans Affairs was previously cited in Region I for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i),  in OSHA Inspection Number 788901, Notice Number 03, Item Number 02a, issued June 11, 2013  with respect to workplace located at 200 Springs Road in Bedford, MA. The final order date for the citation was July 11, 2013.

Issued

Dec 1, 2015

Abate by

Dec 11, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(f)(3)(ii)(D) as required by 29 CFR 1960.8(b): Each authorized employee did not affix a personal lockout or tagout device to the group lockout device before working on the machine or equipment:  Building 1, Dialysis  Each authorized employee did not affix a lockout device while performing a group lockout.  The Department of Veterans Affairs was previously cited in Region I for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i),  in OSHA Inspection Number 788901, Notice Number 03, Item Number 02a, issued June 11, 2013  with respect to workplace located at 200 Springs Road in Bedford, MA. The final order date for the citation was July 11, 2013.

Issued

Dec 1, 2015

Abate by

Apr 4, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(i) as required by 29 CFR 1960.8(b): The employer did not conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirement of this standard were being followed:    An annual inspection and review of each energy control procedure was not conducted at least yearly.    The Department of Veterans Affairs was previously cited in Region II for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6),  in OSHA Inspection Number 315752170, Notice Number 01, Item Number 07b, issued June 7, 2012  with respect to workplace located at 113 Holland Ave in Albany, NY. The final order date for the citation was August 1, 2012.

Issued

Dec 1, 2015

Abate by

Apr 4, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i)(B) as required by 29 CFR 1960.8(b): Affected employees were not instructed in the purpose and use of the energy control procedure:    Adequate training was not provided in the purpose and use of the specific energy control procedures.      The Department of Veterans Affairs was previously cited in Region I for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7),  in OSHA Inspection Number 315235960, Notice Number 01, Item Number 04b, issued August 9, 2011  with respect to workplace located at 950 Campbell Ave in West Haven, CT. The final order date for the citation was September 21, 2011.

Issued

Dec 1, 2015

Abate by

Dec 9, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(b) as required by 29 CFR 1960.8(b): Machine(s) designed for fixed location(s) were not securely anchored to prevent walking or moving:  Building 15 Basement, Locksmith Shop  The Baldor bench grinder which was equipped with a 5 inch abrasive wheel was not anchored or secured in place.   The Department of Veterans Affairs was previously cited in Region I for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.212(b),  in OSHA Inspection Number 788901, Notice Number 03, Item Number 04, issued June 11, 2013  with respect to workplace located at 200 Springs Road in Bedford, MA. The final order date for the citation was July 11, 2013.

Issued

Dec 1, 2015

Abate by

Dec 11, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(a)(4) as required by 29 CFR 1960.8(b): Work rest(s) on grinding machinery were not adjusted closely to the wheel with a maximum opening of one eighth inch:  a) Building 15 Basement, Locksmith Shop The Baldor bench grinder which was equipped with a 5 inch abrasive wheel did not have the work rest adjusted to  1/8th of an inch to the surface of the abrasive wheel.  b) Building 21, Carpentry/Plumbing/HVAC Shop The Ryobi 8 inch bench grinder, model BGH837, was not equipped with a work rest.  The Department of Veterans Affairs was previously cited in Region II for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.215(a)(4),  in OSHA Inspection Number 315752170, Notice Number 01, Item Number 07A, issued June 7, 2012  with respect to workplace located at 113 Holland Ave in Albany, NY. The final order date for the citation was August 1, 2012.

Issued

Dec 1, 2015

Abate by

Dec 11, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(b)(9) as required by 29 CFR 1960.8(b): The distance between the abrasive wheel periphery(s) and the adjustable tongue or the end of the safety guard peripheral member at the top exceeded one fourth inch:  a) Building 15 Basement, Locksmith Shop The Baldor bench grinder which was equipped with a 5 inch abrasive wheel did not have the tongue guard adjusted to within 1/4 inch of the surface of the abrasive wheel.  b) Building 21, Carpentry/Plumbing/HVAC Shop The tongue guard on the Ryobi 8 inch bench grinder, model BGH837, was not adjusted to within at least ¼ inch of the surface of the grinding wheel.   The Department of Veterans Affairs was previously cited in Region II for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.215(b)(9),  in OSHA Inspection Number 315752170, Notice Number 01, Item Number 07b, issued June 7, 2012  with respect to workplace located at 113 Holland Ave in Albany, NY. The final order date for the citation was August 1, 2012.

Issued

Dec 1, 2015

Abate by

Dec 11, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(2) as required by 29 CFR 1960.8(b): Listed or labeled electrical equipment was not used or installed in accordance with instructions included in the listing or labeling:  a) Building 1, 9th Floor, Room 112 The two Relocatable Power Taps were not being used in accordance with their listing and labeling.  b) Basement Tunnel Area, Outside Electric Shop The cover of the Westinghouse 120/208 volt electrical distribution panel was installed using duct tape along the top of the panel and not effectively closed and bolted along the bottom.   The Department of Veterans Affairs was previously cited in Region IX for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(a),  in OSHA Inspection Number 678158, Notice Number 01, Item Number 11, issued April 5, 2013  with respect to workplace located at 3801 Miranda Ave in Palo Alto, CA. The final order date for the citation was May 17, 2013.

Issued

Dec 1, 2015

Abate by

Dec 9, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1)(ii) as required by 29 CFR 1960.8(b): The required working space about electric equipment rated 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground, was used for storage:  Building 21, Plumbing/HVAC Shop The 120/208 volt electrical disconnect panel, labeled Shop Panel 2, was blocked by a several large cabinets and a large welding screen.   The Department of Veterans Affairs was previously cited in Region I for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1),  in OSHA Inspection Number 788901, Notice Number 03, Item Number 08, issued June 11, 2013  with respect to workplace located at 200 Springs Road in Bedford, MA. The final order date for the citation was July 11, 2013.

Issued

Dec 1, 2015

Abate by

Dec 11, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii) as required by 29 CFR 1960.8(b): Unused openings in boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not effectively closed:  a) Building 24, 1st Floor The energized 4 gang metal junction box had a knockout which was missing and exposed employees to the live electrical parts inside.  b) Building 24, Basement Storage The Square D 240 volt electrical panel (Bld 24-B) had 11 open spaces in the panel which exposed employees to the live electrical parts inside.  c) Building 1, Sub Ground, Room 109 The General Electric 277/480 volt electrical distribution panel CH-LC7-1 had an open space on the front of the panel which exposed employees to the live electrical parts inside.    d) Building 2, Ground Floor, Mechanical Room 139 The Westinghouse 120/208 volt electrical distribution panel (P-SG-E3) had three ¾ inch openings on the front of the panel cover that were not effectively closed.   The Department of Veterans Affairs was previously cited in Region I for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii),  in OSHA Inspection Number 788901, Notice Number 03, Item Number 09A, issued June 11, 2013  with respect to workplace located at 200 Springs Road in Bedford, MA. The final order date for the citation was July 11, 2013.

Issued

Dec 1, 2015

Abate by

Apr 4, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(A) as required by 29 CFR 1960.8(b): Flexible cords and/or cables were used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure:    a) Building 1, 9th Floor, Room 112  The yellow extension cord which was used to power two re-locatable power strips and several tools and a refrigerator was being used in place of fixed permanent wiring.      b) Building 1, Ground Floor, Shipping and Receiving Department  The two electrical extension cords which were used to charge the forklift and motorized pallet jacks had been looped and tied around a section of duct work on the ceiling and were being used in place of permanent wiring.       c) Building 1, Sub Ground, Room SPSG182  Numerous yellow extension cords were being used in place of permanent wiring to power several permanently installed overhead fluorescent lights.    The Department of Veterans Affairs was previously cited in Region IX for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(a),  in OSHA Inspection Number 678158, Notice Number 01, Item Number 11, issued April 5, 2013  with respect to workplace located at 3801 Miranda Ave in Palo Alto, CA. The final order date for the citation was May 17, 2013.