OSHA Inspection: SALUSCARE, INC.

Issued

Oct 23, 2020

Abate by

Dec 11, 2020

Penalty

Initial $13,494 · Current $13,494

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees are exposed to assaults by patients.  Employees, including behavioral health technicians, were exposed to the hazard of physical threats and assaults, such as being bitten, punched, kicked, scratched, and spit on, when interacting with patients during care and daily activities in the Adult Acute Care and Adult Units.  Assaults have resulted in injuries including sprains, contusions, lacerations, fractures, and a concussion.  Employees in the Adult Acute Care and Adult Units were exposed to acts of workplace violence (WPV)  by patients in the form of physical assaults including, but not limited to, punches, kicks, bites,  scratches, and pulling.  a)   On or about April 24, 2020, a behavior health technician (BHT) was spit on in the face and  mouth by a patient while trying to stop the patient from pulling the fire alarm. b)   On or about April 25, 2020, a BHT was kicked in the rib cage while attempting to restrain a  patient due to threatening behavior.  A second employee suffered a twisted left knee while  assisting with the restraint. c)   On or about April 26, 2020, a BHT was punched in the back of the head and choked by a patient,  causing injuries requiring the BHT to be hospitalized for multiple days. d)   On or about September 12, 2020, a BHT was punched in the jaw by a patient, which caused the  BHT to fall, lose consciousness, and suffer a concussion.  The employee was treated in the emergency room.

Issued

Oct 23, 2020

Abate by

Dec 11, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.39(a)(2): The employer did not report within 24-hours a work-related incident resulting in in-patient hospitalization, amputation or the loss of an eye.   (a) On or about 10: 00 A.M. on April 26, 2020, at the Colonial Campus, Acute Care Unit, 10140 Deer Run Farms Rd, Fort Myers, FL, an employee suffered a work-related injury and was hospitalized. The employer was aware of the in-patient hospitalization on April 27, 2020 at around 9:00 A.M. The employer notified OSHA on April 28 at 10:52 A.M. of the in-patient hospitalization.