OSHA Inspection: LIFE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA INC.

Issued

Dec 10, 2020

Abate by

Jan 7, 2021

Penalty

Initial $13,494 · Current $13,494

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 was fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace:  Life Care Centers of America Inc. dba Life Care Centers of Westlake:  On or about June 10, 2020, the employer did not provide a medical evaluation to determine each employee's ability to use a respirator before requiring the use.  The employer required employees to wear respirators while providing care to suspected and confirmed positive COVID-19 patients.

Issued

Dec 10, 2020

Abate by

Jan 7, 2021

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:  Life Care Centers of America Inc. dba Life Care Centers of Westlake:  On or about June 10, 2020, the employer did not provide a fit test to all employees required to wear respirators.  The employer required employees to wear N95 filtering facepiece respirators to protect against SARS-CoV-2 while providing care to suspected and confirmed positive COVID-19 patients.

Issued

Dec 10, 2020

Abate by

Jan 7, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(1): The employer did not ensure that each employee can demonstrate knowledge of at least the following:  Life Care Centers of America Inc. dba Life Care Centers of Westlake:   On or about June 10, 2020, the employer inadequately trained employees it required to wear N95 respirators, such as but not limited to, Housekeeping, Maintenance, Administration, Patient Care, and Dietary.  The employer failed to ensure each employee could demonstrate knowledge of at least the following:     a. What the limitations and capabilities of the respirator are. 1910.134(k)(1)(ii);    b. How to use the respirator effectively in emergency situations, including situations in which the respirator malfunctions. 1910.134(k)(1)(iii);     c. How to inspect and check the seals of the respirator. 1910.134(k)(1)(iv);     d. What the procedures are for maintenance and storage of the respirator. 1910.134(k)(1)(v);    e. How to recognize medical signs and symptoms that may limit or prevent the effective use of respirators. 1910.134(k)(1)(vi);   f. The general requirements of this section. 1910.134(k)(1)(vii).

Issued

Dec 10, 2020

Abate by

Jan 7, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2): The employer did not verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a certification that identifies the workplace evaluated, the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed, the date(s) of the hazard assessment.  Life Care Centers of America Inc. dba Life Care Centers of Westlake:   On or about June 10, 2020, the employer had not performed a written certification verifying a workplace hazard assessment had been performed; and identifying the workplace evaluated, the person certifying the evaluation had been performed, and the date(s) of the assessment.

Issued

Dec 10, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(2)(i): Respirator users were not provided with the information contained in Appendix D to 29 CFR 1910.134 when the employer determined that any voluntary respirator use was permissible:  Life Care Centers of America Inc. dba Life Care Centers of Westlake:   On or about June 10, 2020, where the voluntary use of respiratory protection was allowed for employees working in all other areas outside of units 500 and 600, the employer did not provide respiratory users information contained in Appendix D to 29 CRF 1910.134.