OSHA Inspection: HUDSON HOSPITAL OPCO LLC DBA CAREPOINT HEALTH CHRIST HOSPITAL

Issued

2020-09-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2020-11-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $13494.00 · Current $13494.00

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:    a) Worksite at 176 Palisade Ave, Jersey City, NJ    The employer required employees, including RNs, Clinical Partners and housekeeping, to wear N95 respirators while caring for and cleaning rooms of patients including those under investigation and/or confirmed as COVID-19 positive.  However, the employer did not provide these employees with a medical evaluation to ensure that they were capable of safely wearing such respirators.  Employees were also allowed to bring in and wear their own elastomeric half mask, negative pressure respirators.  These employees were also not medically evaluated.      Violation occurred on or about 03/18/2020 and thereafter.

Issued

2020-09-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2020-11-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

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) Worksite at 176 Palisade Ave, Jersey City, NJ    The employer required employees including RNs, Clinical Partners and housekeeping to wear N95 respirators while providing care for and cleaning rooms of patients including those under investigation and/or confirmed as COVID-19 positive.  The employer did not provide initial fit testing for employees required to use N95 respirators that had not been previously worn.  Employees were also allowed to wear their own elastomeric half mask, negative pressure respirators.  These also had not been provided with fit tests.      Violation occurred on or about 03/25/2020 and thereafter.

Issued

2020-09-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2020-11-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

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) Worksite at 176 Palisade Ave, Jersey City, NJ    The employer did not provide effective training to employees, including RNs, Clinical Partners, and housekeeping, required to wear N95 respirators while providing care for and cleaning rooms of patients including those under investigation and/or confirmed as COVID-19 positive.  Employees were also allowed to bring in their own elastomeric half mask, negative pressure respirators.  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 03/18/2020 and thereafter.

Issued

2020-09-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2020-11-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $5783.00 · Current $2000.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): Employer had not developed or implemented a written hazard communication program included the requirements outlined in 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(ii):     a) Worksite at 176 Palisade Ave, Jersey City, NJ    The employer did not implement the written hazard communication program for employees exposed to hazardous chemicals such as, but not limited to, sodium hypochlorite and Defender cleaner/sanitizer, which contains sodium salt of dichloroisocyanuric acid and adipic acid.  These chemicals are used to decontaminate personal protective equipment and surfaces of coronavirus.    Violation occurred on or about 03/25/2020.

Issued

2020-09-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2020-11-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): Employees were not provided effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:    a) Worksite at 176 Palisade Ave, Jersey City, NJ    The employer did not provide information and training for employees exposed to hazardous chemicals such as, but not limited to, sodium hypochlorite and Defender cleaner/sanitizer, which contains sodium salt of dichloroisocyanuric acid and adipic acid.  These chemicals are used to decontaminate personal protective equipment and surfaces against coronavirus contamination.    Violation occurred on or about 03/25/2020.

Issued

2020-09-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2020-11-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1928.00 · Current $409.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.4(a): The employer did not record each work-related fatality, injury or illness case that resulted in the general recording criteria on the OSHA Form 300 or equivalent:    a) Worksite at 176 Palisade Ave, Jersey City, NJ    For Calendar Year 2020, the employer did not record illnesses resulting from potential exposure to COVID-19 where employees received days away from work and/or medical treatment.  Illnesses include, but are not limited to:    1) 03/30/2020, a surgical resident called out of work, and was confirmed COVID positive on 03/31/2020 and returned to work 0n 04/03/2020.  2) 03/30/2020, employee in 6T called out of work, and was confirmed COVID positive on 04/08/2020 and hospitalized.  The employee returned to work on 05/07/2020.  3) On 04/03/2020, employee in 6T experienced symptoms and was confirmed COVID positive on 04/09/2020.  The employee remained out of work until 04/21/2020.  4) On 04/07/2020, employee in 6T called out of work, and was confirmed COVID positive on 04/13/2020 and hospitalized.  The employee returned to work on 06/01/2020.  5) On 04/09/2020, employee in ICU called out of work and was confirmed COVID positive.  The employee returned to work on 04/25/2020.    Violation occurred on or about 03/30/2020.