OSHA Inspection: HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH RESIDENTIAL CARE INC., THE HARBORAGE

Issued

Sep 4, 2020

Penalty

Initial $13,494 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(a)(2): A respirator was not provided by the employer to each employee when such equipment was necessary to protect the health of the employee:  a) 5th Floor - Subacute  Employees working as Registered Nurses (RNs) were required to use surgical masks while providing treatment and direct patient care to known COVID-19 positive residents and/or residents under investigation for COVID-19.  The employer did not provide a NIOSH approved respirator such as, but not limited to, an N95 filtering facepiece respirator to protect these employees from exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.  Violation occurred on or about 03/23/2020.

Issued

Sep 4, 2020

Abate by

Oct 2, 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, whenever a different respirator facepiece (size, style, model or make) is used, and at least annually thereafter:  a) 5th Floor - Subacute  Employees working as Registered Nurses (RNs) were required to wear N95 filtering facepiece respirators while providing direct patient care to residents, including those under investigations and/or confirmed as COVID-19 positive.  The employer did not provide additional fit testing when different N95 respirator facepiece makes and models were used.  Violation occurred on or about 3/24/2020 and thereafter.

Issued

Sep 4, 2020

Abate by

Oct 2, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(1): The employer did not provide effective training to ensure that each employee could demonstrate knowledge of 1910.134(k)(1)(i) - (vii):  a) Facility Wide  The employer did not provide effective training to employees including RNs required to wear N95 respirators while providing care to residents with Covid-19 and those under investigation for Covid-19.  The training did not include:  a) Why the respirator is necessary and how improper fit, usage, or maintenance can compromise the protective effect of the respirator; b) What the limitations and capabilities of the respirator are; c) How to use the respirator effectively in emergency situations, including situations in which the respirator malfunctions; d) How to inspect, use, and check the seals of the respirator; e) What the procedures are for maintenance and storage of the respirator; and f) How to recognize medical signs and symptoms that may limit or prevent the effective use of respirators.  Violation occurred on or about 03/24/2020 and thereafter.

Issued

Sep 4, 2020

Abate by

Oct 2, 2020

Penalty

Initial $1,082 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(m)(2)(i): The employer did not establish a record of the qualitative and quantitative fit tests administered to an employee which included the information required by 29 CFR 1910.134(m)(2)(i)(A) through (m)(2)(i)(E):  a) 5th Floor - Subacute  The employer did not establish a fit test record for qualitative fit tests for employees which include the type of fit test performed, date of test and the pass/fail results.  The employer required employees including RNs to wear N95 respirators to care for residents including those under investigation and/or confirmed as Covid-19 positive.  Violation occurred on or about 03/23/2020 and thereafter.