OSHA Inspection: VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

Issued

Apr 16, 2020

Abate by

May 21, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)(i): Engineering and work practice controls were not used to eliminate or minimize employees exposure:  (a)  The Veterans Health Administration - Lebanon VA Medical Center - The employees in the Dental care department of the hospital were using a reusable dental syringe that uses a glass carpule, which was disassembled and cleaned after it was used on a patient.  This device was used to subcutaneously administer anesthesia to the patients.  There was no documentation detailing why safer needle devices or needle-free devices were not used, on or about February 18, 2020.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Apr 16, 2020

Abate by

Apr 30, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1030(h)(5)(i): The employer did not establish and maintain a sharps injury log for the recording of percutaneous injuries from contaminated sharps:  (a)  The Veterans Health Administration - Lebanon VA Medical Center - The employer did not maintain a sharps injury log for the employees who sustained exposure to bloodborne pathogens through a percutaneous injury from a contaminated sharp, on or about February 18, 2020.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Apr 16, 2020

Abate by

May 12, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(6)(ii): Except as provided in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(7) and 29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(8), the employer did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace was labeled, tagged or marked with the product identifier and words, pictures, symbols, or combination thereof, which provide at least general information regarding the hazards of the chemicals and which, in conjunction with the other information immediately available to employees under the hazard communication program, would provide employees with the specific information regarding the physical and health hazards of the hazardous chemical.  (a)  Veterans Health Administration - Lebanon VA Medical Center - Several secondary use containers located on the workbenches of the Clinical Laboratories, including, but not limited to; xylene, Decal, Bluing, Eosin and the H1AC1 machine waste container were not labeled in accordance with the requirements as noted above, on or about January 18, 2020.  (b)  Veterans Health Administration - Lebanon VA Medical Center - The Hersey Carpet Solution and Scotts Outdoor Cleaner 50/50 containers in the Boiler Plant were not labeled in accordance with the requirements noted above, on or about January 22, 2020.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Apr 16, 2020

Abate by

Jun 3, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

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:  (a)  The Veterans Health Administration - Lebanon VA Medical Center - There employer had several locations throughout the facility which maintained out-of-date material safety data sheets which did not contain the information required to be on the safety data sheets. The MSDS books were observed in the Building 18 Pipe Shop, Building 19 Vehicle Garage, and the Warehouse, on or about December 18, 2019.   Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Apr 16, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.40(a): The employer did not provide an authorized government representative the records within the four business hours.  (a)  Veterans Health Administration - Lebanon VA Medical Center - On or about December 9, 2019 the compliance officer requested copies of the 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 to-date OSHA Injury and Illness Logs.  The employer did not provide the records until December 17, 2019.  No abatement verification or certification required.

Issued

Apr 16, 2020

Abate by

May 21, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv): The Exposure Control Plan was not reviewed and updated at least annually:  (a)  The Veterans Health Administration - Lebanon VA Clinic - The exposure control plan intended for all employees with exposure to bloodborne pathogens was dated as being reviewed in 2017.  That made the review two (2) years prior to the inspection which began on December 9, 2019.  The plans were reviewed by the compliance officer on or about December 17, 2019.    Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.