OSHA Inspection: BATH VA MEDICAL CENTER

Issued

Oct 16, 2019

Abate by

Nov 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(5)(i): The employer did not ensure each employee on a runway or similar walkway was protected from falling 4 feet (1.2 m) or more to a lower level by a guardrail system.   a) Building 30 Southside, on or about 7/25/19: A groundskeeper trimming near the handrails was exposed to a fall when guardrail system did not have a mid-rail to protect against falling through a 34 inch gap between railing and the concrete base. The depth along the 74 ft. stretch of runway was between 51 inches (4 ft., 3 in.) and 61 inched (5 ft., 1 in.), measured at various points.   Abatement certification must be submitted for this item.

Issued

Oct 16, 2019

Abate by

Oct 31, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1): The employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE):  a) Kitchen, Building 24, on or about 7/24/19: A personal protective equipment assessment was not performed for cooks and other dietary employees that work with corrosive chemicals and near hot surfaces.   b) Canteen, Building 35, on or about 7/24/19: A personal protective equipment assessment was not performed for cooks and other dietary employees that work with corrosive chemicals and near hot surfaces.    Abatement certification must be submitted with this item.

Issued

Oct 16, 2019

Abate by

Oct 31, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(f)(1): The employer did not provide training to each employee who is required by this section to use personal protective equipment:  a) SPS department, building 76, on or about 7/23/19: Employees disinfecting stainless steel with Coverage Spray and cleaning sterilizer chamber with Schedule 7 were not trained to wear splash goggles to protect eyes from contact with corrosive cleaners.  b) Environmental Services, building 78, on or about 7/24/19: Housekeepers cleaning floors with Dura Wax floor cleaner and Triple Energize Floor Finish Remover were not trained to wear splash goggles to prevent eyes from contact with corrosive cleaners.  c) Kitchen, building 24, on or about 7/24/19: Cooks cleaning steam trays with Lime-A-Way were not trained to wear splash goggles to prevent eyes from contact with corrosive cleaners.  d) Canteen, building 35, on or about 7/24/19: Cooks cleaning dish washer with Lime-A-Way were not trained to wear splash goggles to prevent eyes from contact with corrosive cleaners.  e) Warehouse, building 103, on or about 7/24/19: Warehouse employees cleaning floors with 747 HD were not trained to wear splash goggles to prevent eyes from contact with corrosive cleaners.  abatement certification must be submitted with this item.

Issued

Oct 16, 2019

Abate by

Oct 31, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1): Protective eye equipment was not required where there was a reasonable probability of injury that could be prevented by such equipment:   a) SPS department, building 76, on or about 7/23/19: Employees disinfecting stainless steel with Coverage Spray and cleaning sterilizer chamber with Schedule 7 did not wear splash goggles to protect eyes from contact with corrosive cleaners.  b) Environmental Services, building 78, on or about 7/24/19: Housekeepers cleaning floors with Dura Wax floor cleaner and Triple Energize Floor Finish Remover did not wear splash goggles to prevent eyes from contact with corrosive cleaners.  c) Kitchen, building 24, on or about 7/24/19: Cooks cleaning steam trays with Lime-A-Way did not wear splash goggles to prevent eyes from contact with corrosive cleaners.  d) Canteen, building 35, on or about 7/24/19: Cooks cleaning dish washer with Lime-A-Way did not wear splash goggles to prevent eyes from contact with corrosive cleaners.  e) Warehouse, building 103, on or about 7/24/19: Warehouse employees cleaning floors with 747 HD did not wear splash goggles to prevent eyes from contact with corrosive cleaners.  abatement certification must be submitted with this item.

Issued

Oct 16, 2019

Abate by

Nov 12, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(e)(1): The employer did not provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, before the employee was fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace:  a) On or about 5/30/19: A housekeeper wearing a powered air purifying respirator with a hood was not medically evaluated for respirator use.  Abatement certification must be submitted for this item.

Issued

Oct 16, 2019

Abate by

Nov 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(e)(6): The employer did not note any problems encountered during an entry operation on the pertinent permit so that appropriate revisions to the permit space program could be made:  a) Building 24, on or about 4/17/19: The permit for brazing operations of kitchen ventilation systems in overhead permit spaces 5 and 13 were not reviewed for deficiencies nor was the program revised to correct deficiencies when permits did not identify the attendants, personal protective equipment used during entry, air monitoring information and the hazards of the spaces entered.  b) Building 31, on or about 7/23/19 The permit for boiler inspection operations was not reviewed by the entry supervisor for entries on the permits to identify the attendants nor was the program revised to address the deficiencies.  Abatement certification must be submitted for this item.

Issued

Oct 16, 2019

Abate by

Nov 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(g)(3): The employer did not provide training that established employee proficiency in the duties required by 29 CFR 1910.146, Permit-required confined spaces, and did not introduce new or revised procedures, as necessary, for compliance:   a) Building 24, on or about 4/17/19: Proficiency for filling out permits was not established for entrants, entry supervisors and assistant chiefs. Permits were not complete and did not include necessary Information including, but not limited to, names of attendants, air monitoring information and personal protective equipment used during entries.  b) Building 31, on or about 7/23/19: Proficiency for filling out permits was not established for entrants, entry supervisors and assistant chiefs. Permits were not complete and did not include necessary Information including, but not limited to, the names of the attendants.    The permit for boiler inspection operations was not reviewed by the entry supervisor for entries on the permits to identify the attendants.   Abatement certification must be submitted for this item.

Issued

Oct 16, 2019

Abate by

Nov 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(j)(2): The employer did not ensure that each entry supervisor verified, by checking that the appropriate entries had been made on the permit, that all tests specified by the permit had been conducted and that all procedures and equipment are in place before endorsing the permit and allowing entry to begin:  a) Building 24, on or about 4/17/19: The permit for brazing operations on kitchen ventilation systems in overhead permit spaces 5 and 13 were not reviewed by the entry supervisor for entries on the permits to identify the attendants, personal protective equipment to be used during entry, air monitoring information along with the hazards of the spaces entered.  b) Building 31, on or about 7/23/19: The permit for boiler inspection operations was not reviewed by the entry supervisor for entries on the permits to identify the attendants.   Abatement certification must be submitted for this item.

Issued

Oct 16, 2019

Abate by

Nov 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(f)(5): The entry permit that documented compliance and authorized entry to a permit space did not identify the personnel, by name, currently serving as attendants:  a) Building 24, on or about 4/17/19: The permit for brazing operations of kitchen ventilation systems in overhead permit spaces 5 and 13 did not identify the attendant.    b) Building 31 on or about 4/17/19: The permit for inspection operations in a boiler did not identify the attendant.   Abatement certification must be submitted for this item.

Issued

Oct 16, 2019

Abate by

Nov 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(f)(7): The entry permit that documented compliance and authorized entry to a permit space did not identify the hazards of the permit space to be entered:   a) Building 24, on or about 4/17/19: The permit for brazing operations of kitchen ventilation systems in overhead permit spaces 5 and 13 did not identify the hazards of oxygen deficiency or flammability.    Abatement certification must be submitted for this item.

Issued

Oct 16, 2019

Abate by

Nov 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(f)(10): The entry permit that documented compliance and authorized entry to a permit space did not identify the results of initial and periodic tests performed under 29 CFR 1910.146(d)(5), accompanied by the names or initials of the tester:   a) Building 24, on or about 4/17/19: The permit for brazing operations of kitchen ventilation systems in overhead permit spaces 5 and 13 did not document air monitoring information.    Abatement certification must be submitted for this item.

Issued

Oct 16, 2019

Abate by

Nov 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(f)(13): The entry permit that documented compliance and authorized entry to a permit space did not identify equipment, such as personal protective equipment (PPE), testing equipment, communications equipment, alarm systems, and rescue equipment:   a) Building 24, on or about 4/17/19: The permit for brazing operations of kitchen ventilation systems in overhead permit spaces 5 and 13 did not document air testing equipment and PPE used for brazing.   Abatement certification must be submitted for this item.

Issued

Oct 16, 2019

Abate by

Nov 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(g)(1): The employer did not provide training so that all employees whose work was regulated by 29 CFR 1910.146 (permit required confined spaces) acquired the understanding, knowledge, and skills necessary for the safe performance of the duties assigned under 29 CFR 1910.146:  a) Building 24, on or about 4/17/19: The person acting as attendant for entries into crawlspaces 5 and 13 in building 24 was not trained on the company's permit required confined space program including, but not limited to, properly filling out permits, rescues and retrievals and use of air monitoring equipment.  Abatement certification must be submitted for this item.

Issued

Oct 16, 2019

Abate by

Dec 4, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.252(c)(4)(i): All welding and cutting operations carried on in confined spaces were not adequately ventilated to prevent the accumulation of toxic materials or possible oxygen deficiency:   a) Building 24, on or about 4/17/19: Mechanical ventilation was not provided for entries into crawlspaces 5 and 13 in building 24 for purpose of brazing on HVAC systems. Crawlspace 5 had an opening measuring 38 inches high by 45 inches wide and Crawlspace 13 had an opening measuring 32 inches high by 48 inches wide. Both spaces were in excess of seven feet from the ground and required a ladder for access.   Abatement certification must be submitted for this item.

Issued

Oct 16, 2019

Abate by

Nov 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.252(c)(4)(ii): In circumstances where it was impossible to provide such ventilation, airline respirators or hose masks approved for this purpose by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) under 42 CFR part 84, were not used;  a) Building 24, on or about 4/17/19: Respiratory protection was not provided and used for entries into crawlspaces 5 and 13 in building 24 for purpose of brazing on HVAC systems. Crawlspace 5 had an opening measuring 38 inches high by 45 inches wide and Crawlspace 13 had an opening measuring 32 inches high by 48 inches wide. Both spaces were in excess of seven feet from the ground and required a ladder for access.  Abatement certification must be submitted for this item.

Issued

Oct 16, 2019

Abate by

Nov 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(k)(2)(iv): An employer whose employees have been designated to provide permit space rescue and emergency services did not ensure that affected employees practiced making permit space rescues at least once every 12 months:  a) Throughout the facility, on or about 4/17/19: Employees entering permit required confined spaces such as overhead crawlspaces  and boilers were not provided with annual rescue drills.   Abatement certification must be submitted for this item.

Issued

Oct 16, 2019

Abate by

Nov 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1030(f)(1)(ii)(D): The employer did not ensure that all medical evaluations or procedures including the hepatitis B vaccine, vaccination series, post-exposure evaluation, or follow-up, including prophylaxis, were provided according to recommendations of the US. Public Health Service current at the time these evaluations and procedure took place:  a) Dental room, on or about 7/16/19: A dental assistant stuck by the hook end of a dirty "explorer" dental instrument at 10:30 AM was not sent to the emergency room immediately. The employee went to the emergency after the end of the shift at 3:00 PM.  Abatement documentation must be submitted for this item.

Issued

Oct 16, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1030(g)(1)(i)(A): Warning labels were not affixed to containers used to store, transport or ship blood or other potentially infectious materials:   a) VA Campus Police Department, On or about 7/24/19: Biohazard warning labels were not placed on evidence boxes containing other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) such as knives, tomahawks and other sharp weapons found at potential crime scenes and contaminated with blood. These OPIM are sent for storage in anticipation of use as evidence during criminal investigations.

Issued

Oct 16, 2019

Abate by

Nov 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1030(g)(2)(vii): The employer's training program did not contain the minimum elements required by 29 CFR 1910.1030(g)(2)(vii)(A) through (g)(2)(vii)(N):  a) Throughout the facility, on or about 7/16/19: Annual training on bloodborne pathogens did not include, at a minimum, the following items which are facility specific:  - how to use the sharps equipped engineering protection chosen by the facility. - The requirement that a titer be given 1 -2 months following the third hepatitis B injection. - specific post exposure evaluation procedures developed for the employees - the requirements for labeling of containers containing other potentially infectious materials    Abatement documentation must be submitted for this item

Issued

Oct 16, 2019

Abate by

Nov 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1030(g)(2)(vii)(N): The bloodborne pathogens training program did not contain an opportunity for interactive questions or answers with the person conducting the training session:  a) Throughout the facility, on or about 7/16/19: Annual training on bloodborne pathogens did not include interactive sessions for questions and answers with the trainer.  Abatement certification must be submitted for this item

Issued

Oct 16, 2019

Abate by

Nov 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1153(d)(2)(i): The employer did not assess the exposure of each employee who was or may reasonably be expected to be exposed to respirable crystalline silica at or above the action level in accordance with either the performance option in paragraph (d)(2)(ii) or the scheduled monitoring option in paragraph (d)(2)(iii) of this section:  Building 75, on or about 7/24/19: An assessment of exposure to airborne silica was not performed for employees using power tools such as Hilti hammer drills and concrete saws for operations including, but not limited to chipping, drilling and sawing concrete. Neither wet methods, ventilated hand tools, respirators nor table 1 methods as contained in this standard were used.    Abatement certification must be submitted for this item.

Issued

Oct 16, 2019

Abate by

Nov 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1153(d)(3)(i): The employer did not use engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica to or below the PEL, unless the employer can demonstrate that such controls are not feasible:  Building 75, on or about 7/24/19: The employer did not provide engineering controls for employees using power tools such as Hilti hammer drills and concrete saws for operations including, but not limited to chipping, drilling and sawing concrete. Controls including but not limited to wet methods and ventilated hand tools were not used.   Abatement certification must be submitted for this item.

Issued

Oct 16, 2019

Abate by

Nov 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1153(e)(1)(ii): Respiratory protection was not provided for tasks not listed in Table 1, or where the employer did not fully and properly implement the engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory protection described in Table 1:  Building 75, on or about 7/24/19: The employer did not provide respirators for employees using power tools such as Hilti hammer drills and concrete saws for operations including, but not limited to chipping, drilling and sawing concrete. Controls including but not limited to wet methods and ventilated hand tools were not used.   Abatement certification must be submitted for this item.

Issued

Oct 16, 2019

Abate by

Nov 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1153(g)(1): The employer did not establish and implement a written exposure control plan:  Building 75, on or about 7/24/19: The employer did not develop a compliance program for employees exposed to silica during  concrete work while employing the use of power tools.  Abatement certification must be submitted for this item.

Issued

Oct 16, 2019

Abate by

Nov 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1153(g)(4): The employer did not designate a competent person to make frequent and regular inspections of job sites, materials, and equipment to implement the written exposure control plan:    Building 75, on or about 7/24/19: The employer did not designate a competent person to ensure employees are not over- exposed to silica during  concrete work while employing the use of power tools.  Abatement certification must be submitted for this item.

Issued

Oct 16, 2019

Abate by

Nov 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1153(i)(1): The employer did not include respirable crystalline silica in the program established to comply with the hazard communication standard (HCS) (29 CFR 1910.1200):    Building 75, on or about 7/24/19: The employer did not provide hazard communication information and  training on silica for employees throughout the facility. Hazard communication training was not substance specific and did not include information on cancer, lung effects, immune system effects and kidney effects attributed to silica exposure.  Abatement certification must be submitted for this item.

Issued

Oct 16, 2019

Abate by

Nov 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1153(i)(2)(i): The employer did not ensure that each employee covered by this section could demonstrate knowledge and understanding of at least the information contained in paragraphs (i)(2)(i)(A)-(i)(2)(i)(F) of this standard.  Building 75, on or about 7/24/19: The employer did not provide training on silica for employees using power tools such as Hilti hammer drills and concrete saws for operations including, but not limited to chipping, drilling and sawing concrete.   Abatement certification must be submitted for this item.

Issued

Oct 16, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i): Procedures were not developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees were engaged in activities covered by this section:   a) Dietary area, on or about 7/25/19: Where employees provide servicing and/or maintenance on various machinery or equipment including, but not limited to, ovens, the employer did not establish energy control procedures to prevent the unexpected energizing, start-up or release of stored energy at the equipment.  b) Canteen, on or about 7/25/19:Where employees provide servicing and/or maintenance on various machinery or equipment including, but not limited to, ovens, the employer did not establish energy control procedures to prevent the unexpected energizing, start-up or release of stored energy at the equipment.

Issued

Oct 16, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(e)(3): Portable fire extinguishers were not subjected to an annual maintenance check:   a) Building 78, on or about 7/24/19: An Amerex 3-A:40-B:C fire extinguisher provided as fire protection for HVAC techs performing hot work was last inspected in 2017. A hot work permit was issued for welding, cutting, brazing and soldering, activities for which requires that fire extinguishing equipment to be readily available.