OSHA Inspection: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Issued

Jan 9, 2017

Abate by

Feb 13, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.165(d)(2): Tests of the reliability and adequacy of nonsupervised employee alarm systems were not made at least every two months:  (a)  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, dba Denver VA Medical Center, at 1055 Clermont Street, Denver, CO:  On and preceding 9/26/16, the employer did not ensure that tests of the reliability and adequacy of nonsupervised employee alarm systems were made at least every two months.  The employer operated two 3M Steri-Vac sterilizers utilizing ethylene oxide to sterilize medical instruments.  Employees in the Sterile Processing Service unit were potentially exposed to ethylene oxide during operation of the sterilizers and during installation of ethylene oxide cartridges in the Steri-Vacs.  A ChemDAQ ethylene oxide detection system with audible and visual alarm signals was installed in the unit.  The employer did not test the functionality of the audible and visual alarms.  This condition exposed employees to an ethylene oxide hazard.

Issued

Jan 9, 2017

Abate by

Feb 13, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1047(j)(3)(i): Employees potentially exposed to ethylene oxide at or above the action level or above the excursion limit were not provided information and training on ethylene oxide at the time of initial assignment and at least annually thereafter:  (a)  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, dba Denver VA Medical Center, at 1055 Clermont Street, Denver, CO:  On and preceding 9/26/16, the employer did not ensure that employees potentially exposed to ethylene oxide at or above the action level were provided information and training on ethylene oxide at the time of initial assignment and at least annually thereafter.  The employer operated two 3M Steri-Vac sterilizers utilizing ethylene oxide to sterilize medical instruments.  Employees in the Sterile Processing Service unit were potentially exposed to ethylene oxide during operation of the sterilizers and during installation of ethylene oxide cartridges in the Steri-Vacs.  The employer did not ensure that all employees who performed work in the room containing the sterilizers using ethylene oxide were provided information and training on ethylene oxide.  This condition exposed employees to an ethylene oxide hazard.  Abatement Note:  Employees shall be informed of the following: 1.  The requirements of this section with an explanation of its contents, including Appendices A and B; 2.  Any operations in their work area where ethylene oxide is present; 3.  The location and availability of the written Ethylene Oxide final rule; and 4.  The medical surveillance program required by paragraph (i) of this section with an explanation of the information in Appendix C.    Abatement Note:  Employee training shall include at least the following: 1.  Methods and observations that may be used to detect the presence or release of ethylene oxide in the work area (such as monitoring conducted by the employer, continuous monitoring devices, etc.);   2.  The physical and health hazards of ethylene oxide;   3.  The measures employees can take to protect themselves from hazards associated with ethylene oxide exposure, including specific procedures the employer has implemented to protect employees from exposure to ethylene oxide, such as work practices, emergency procedures, and personal protective equipment to be used; and   4.  The details of the hazard communication program developed by the employer, including an explanation of the labeling system and how employees can obtain and use the appropriate hazard information.