OSHA Inspection: NATCHAUG HOSPITAL, INC.

Issued

Sep 8, 2020

Abate by

Oct 26, 2020

Penalty

Initial $11,566 · Current $8,096 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1): A written respiratory protection program that included the provisions in 29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1)(i) - (ix) with worksite specific procedures was not established and implemented for required respirator use:  Facility:  On, or about, March 18, 2020, April 25, 2020 and on an on-going basis, the facility had not developed a written work-site specific respiratory protection program to address the use of N95 filtering facepieces that were required to be worn by staff who were potentially exposed to respiratory hazards caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus which causes Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).  Staff members performed or assisted with COVID-19 nose swab testing which had been identified by the employer to be a procedure that could aerosolize droplets, which is believed to be the primary mode of transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.  Staff members also provided direct patient care to individuals who were suspected of being infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus while test results were pending.

Issued

Sep 8, 2020

Abate by

Oct 26, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(d)(1)(i): Selection of appropriate respirators was not based on the respiratory hazard(s) to which the worker was exposed and user factors that affect respirator performance and reliability:  A. Adult Unit:  On, or about, April 25, 2020, employees who provided direct care to a suspect COVID-19 patient were not provided adequate respiratory protection and were potentially exposed to SARS-CoV-2 virus.  The employees were required to be within six feet of the patient to perform tasks such as obtaining vital signs and providing personal care.  The patient was not wearing a mask.

Issued

Sep 8, 2020

Penalty

Initial $1,928 · Current $1,350 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.4(a): The employer did not record each work-related fatality, injury or illness case that met the general recording criteria on the OSHA Form 300 or equivalent:   Facility:  On, or about, May 22, 2020, the following illnesses had not been recorded on the 2020 OSHA 300 Log in accordance with guidance issued on April 10, 2020 by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration entitled, "Enforcement Guidance for Recording Cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19):  A.  Case No. FPU0004:   Respiratory illness contracted on, or about, March 16, 2020, confirmed as SARS-CoV-2. B.  Case No. NAT0001:  Respiratory illness contracted on, or about, March 16, 2020, confirmed as SARS-CoV-2. C.  Case No. FPU0473:  Respiratory illness contracted on, or about, March 18, 2020, confirmed as SARS-CoV-2. D.  Case No. NAT0004:  Respiratory illness contracted on, or about, March 19, 2020, confirmed as SARS-CoV-2. E.  Case No. NAT0003:  Respiratory illness contracted on, or about, March 20, 2020, confirmed as SARS-CoV-2. F.  Case No. FPU4772:  Respiratory illness contracted on, or about, March 23, 2020, confirmed as SARS-CoV-2. G.  Case No. NAT0002:  Respiratory illness contracted on, or about, March 24, 2020, confirmed as SARS-CoV-2.