OSHA Inspection: ESSEX RESIDENTIAL CARE, LLC

Issued

Sep 25, 2020

Abate by

Oct 20, 2020

Penalty

Initial $13,494 · Current $0 Reduced

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 is fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace:  165 Fairfield Ave., West Caldwell, NJ, Covid-19 patient units including 1 East, 1 South, 2 East, 2 South  a) Employees, including nurses and CNAs, were provided with and required to use N-95 filtering facepiece respirators during care and treatment of patients including those under investigation and/or confirmed as Covid-19 positive.  The employer did not provide these employees with a medical evaluation to ensure that they were capable of safely wearing such respirators.   b) Employees, including housekeepers, were provided with and required to use N-95 filtering facepiece respirators while cleaning and sanitizing rooms including patient equipment such as bedrails and overbed tables of patients under investigation and/or confirmed as Covid-19 positive.  The employer did not provide these employees with a medical evaluation to ensure that they were capable of safely wearing such respirators.   Violation occurred on or about March 25, 2020 and thereafter.

Issued

Sep 25, 2020

Abate by

Oct 20, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2): Employee(s) using tight-fitting facepiece respirators were not fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator:  165 Fairfield Ave., West Caldwell, NJ, Covid-19 patient units including 1 East, 1 South, 2 East, 2 South  a) Employees, including nurses and CNAs, were provided with and required to use N-95 filtering facepiece respirators during care and treatment of patients including those under investigation and/or confirmed as Covid-19 positive.  The employer did not provide these employees with a fit test  to ensure the respirators protected them from Covid-19.   b) Employees, including housekeepers, were provided with and required to use N-95 filtering facepiece respirators while cleaning and sanitizing rooms including patient equipment such as bedrails and overbed tables of patients under investigation and/or confirmed as Covid-19 positive.  The employer did not provide these employees with a fit test  to ensure the respirators protected them from Covid-19.   Violation occurred on or about March 25, 2020 and thereafter.

Issued

Sep 25, 2020

Abate by

Oct 20, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(1): The employer did not provide effective training that covered the required elements in 1910.134(k)(1)(i) through 1910.134(k)(1)(vii):  165 Fairfield Ave., West Caldwell, NJ, Covid-19 patient units including 1 East, 1 South, 2 East, 2 South  a) Employees, including nurses and CNAs, were provided with and required to use N-95 filtering facepiece respirators during care and treatment of patients  including those under investigation and/or confirmed as Covid-19 positive.  The employer did not provide these employees with effective training in topics including:   i) Why the respirator is necessary and how improper fit, usage, or maintenance can compromise the protective effect of the respirator; ii) What the limitations and capabilities of the respirator are; iii) How to use the respirator effectively in emergency situations, including situations in which the respirator malfunctions; iv) How to inspect, put on and remove, use, and check the seals of the respirator; v) How to recognize medical signs and symptoms that may limit or prevent the effective use of respirators.  b)  Employees, including housekeepers, were provided with and required to use N-95 filtering facepiece respirators during cleaning and sanitizing rooms of patients those under investigation and/or confirmed as Covid-19 positive. The employer did not provide these employees with effective training in topics including:   i) Why the respirator is necessary and how improper fit, usage, or maintenance can compromise the protective effect of the respirator; ii) What the limitations and capabilities of the respirator are; iii) How to use the respirator effectively in emergency situations, including situations in which the respirator malfunctions; iv) How to inspect, put on and remove, use, and check the seals of the respirator; v) How to recognize medical signs and symptoms that may limit or prevent the effective use of respirators.  Violation occurred on or about March 25, 2020 and thereafter.