OSHA Inspection: HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH SYSTEM

Issued

Nov 12, 2020

Abate by

Dec 10, 2020

Penalty

Initial $13,494 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8400

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 or annually refitted:   Palisades Medical Center Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Emergency Room located at 7600 River Road, North Bergen, NJ 07047.     a) On or about May 13, 2020, and thereafter, he employer did not provide an initial fit test to all employees required to wear respirators.  The employer required ICU and Emergency Room nurses to wear N95 filtering facepiece respirators to protect against SARS-CoV-2 when providing care to suspected and confirmed positive COVID-19 patients.  However, the employer did not provide these employees with an initial fit test to ensure the respirator fit employees to protect them from exposure to the virus.     b) On or about May 13, 2020, and thereafter, the employer did not provide an annual fit test to all employees required to wear respirators.  The employer required ICU and emergency room nurses to wear N95 filtering facepiece respirators to protect against SARS-CoV-2 when providing care to suspected and confirmed positive COVID-19 patients.  However, the employer did not provide these employees with an annual fit test prior to ensure the respirator fit employees to protect them from exposure to the virus.          Violation occurred on or about 5/6/2020 and thereafter.

Issued

Nov 12, 2020

Abate by

Dec 10, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8400

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):   Palisades Medical Center ICU and Emergency Room located at 7600 River Road, North Bergen, NJ 07047.     On or about May 13, 2020, and thereafter, the employer did not provide employees with effective training to ensure the employees were familiar with the proper use and limitations of respirators to protect them from exposure to SARS-CoV-2.  The employer required ICU and emergency room nurses to wear N95 filtering facepiece respirators to protect against SARS-CoV-2 while providing care to suspected and confirmed positive COVID-19 patients.

Issued

Nov 12, 2020

Abate by

Dec 10, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8400

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(5): Respiratory protection retraining was not conducted annually:   Palisades Medical Center ICU and Emergency Room located at 7600 River Road, North Bergen, NJ 07047.   On or about May 13, 2020, and thereafter, the employer did not provide employees with annual training to ensure the employees were familiar with the proper use and limitations of respirators to protect them from exposure to SARS-CoV-2.  The employer required ICU and emergency room nurses to wear N95 filtering facepiece respirators to protect against SARS-CoV-2 while providing care to suspected and confirmed positive COVID-19 patients.