OSHA Inspection: TX-SCD DENTAL PC

Issued

Nov 23, 2015

Abate by

Nov 30, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,600 · Current $2,160 Reduced

Hazardous substances S227

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1): The employer did not ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation:  At the inspection site, safety glasses with side shields were provided in lieu of chemical splash goggles or faceshield, and use of eye protection was not enforced, while employees were using corrosive chemicals for cleaning and/or disinfection, including, but not limited to, concentrated Clorox bleach and Liquid Sterilant/High Level Disinfectant, exposing employees to the hazards of corrosive chemical splashes.

Issued

Nov 23, 2015

Abate by

Nov 30, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances S227

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.151(c): Where employees were exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body were not provided within the work area for immediate emergency use:  At the inspection site, where employees were using corrosive chemicals for cleaning and/or disinfection, including, but not limited to, concentrated Clorox bleach and Compliance Liquid Sterilant/High Level Disinfectant, facilities for quick flushing of the eyes and body in the event of a corrosive chemical splash were not provided, exposing employees to the hazards of corrosive chemical splashes.

Issued

Nov 23, 2015

Abate by

Nov 30, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $2,700 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(3)(ii): The employer did not ensure that the employee used appropriate personal protective equipment when there was occupational exposure:  a) At the inspection site, where employees were wearing disposable nitrile gloves while cleaning and sterilizing contaminated dental instruments, the employer did not ensure that appropriate gloves were used, such as puncture-resistant gloves, exposing employees to the hazards of contaminated sharps injuries.  b) At the inspection site, where employees were cleaning and sterilizing contaminated dental instruments, the employer did not ensure that personal protective equipment for the eyes and face was worn while there was a potential for splashes with organic debris, exposing employees to the hazards of bloodborne pathogen exposure.

Issued

Nov 23, 2015

Abate by

Nov 30, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(3)(vii): Personal protective equipment was not removed prior to leaving the work area:  At the inspection site, where employees were performing duties exposing them to saliva in dental procedures, used personal protective clothing and towels were placed in laundry bags beside clean jackets and towels in the break room where employees were consuming food and beverages, and used lab jackets were hung in the break room during breaks, exposing employees to the hazards of bloodborne pathogen exposure.

Issued

Nov 23, 2015

Abate by

Nov 30, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,700 · Current $1,620 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(8): The employer did not ensure that material safety data sheets were readily accessible to the employees in their work area during each work shift:  and/or in the alternative:  29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(8): The employer did not maintain in the workplace copies of the required safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical, and did not ensure that they were readily accessible during each work shift to employees when they were in their work area(s):  At the inspection site, the employer did not have material safety data sheets (or safety data sheets) for employees who were using hazardous chemicals including, but not limited to, AutoClean Autoclave Cleaner & Enhancer and flammable Monarch Lines mineral deposit remover, exposing employees to the hazards of fire and contact with chemical irritants.

Issued

Nov 23, 2015

Abate by

Nov 30, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 043514701560

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(2)(iii): The employer did not provide information to the employees as to the location and availability of the written hazard communication program, and material safety data sheets required by 29 CFR 1910.1200:  At the inspection site, where employees were using hazardous chemicals including, but not limited to, corrosive Compliance Liquid Sterilant/High Level Disinfectant and concentrated Clorox bleach, AutoClean Autoclave Cleaner & Enhancer, and flammable Monarch Lines mineral deposit remover, chemical hazard communication training provided to employees did not include the location of the written Hazard Communication Program and information on how to access current material safety data sheets (MSDSs) or safety data sheets (SDSs) using the employer's online database, exposing employees to the hazards of fire and the inhalation and contact hazards of chemicals, such as corrosive chemical burns.

Issued

Nov 23, 2015

Abate by

Dec 2, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 10601560

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(c)(1): Portable fire extinguishers were not mounted, located and identified so that they were readily accessible without subjecting the employees to injuries:  At the inspection site, where employees were expected to use fire extinguishers on incipient-stage fires and to evacuate when fires advanced beyond initial stage, a First Alert portable fire extinguisher was sitting on the floor amidst boxes in the mechanical room where it was not readily visible or accessible to employees, exposing employees to the hazards of fire.

Issued

Nov 23, 2015

Abate by

Nov 30, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(5)(i): The employer did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace was labeled, tagged or marked with the identity of the hazardous chemical(s) contained therein:  At the inspection site, where employees were using hazardous chemicals for cleaning and/or disinfection, a quart spray bottle in sterilization was labeled with the chemical name "Detergent & H2O" and common name "Soap & Water", but did not include the identity of the product, exposing employees to the contact hazards of chemicals, such as eye irritation.

Issued

Nov 23, 2015

Abate by

Nov 30, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(5)(ii): The employer did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace was labeled, tagged or marked with the appropriate hazard warnings:  At the inspection site, where employees were using hazardous chemicals for cleaning and/or disinfection, a quart spray bottle in sterilization was labeled with the chemical name "Detergent & H2O" and common name "Soap & Water", but was not labeled with hazard warnings, exposing employees to the contact hazards of chemicals, such as eye irritation.