OSHA Inspection: HEIGHTS HEALTHCARE COMPANY, LLC

Issued

Aug 10, 2021

Abate by

Sep 13, 2021

Penalty

Initial $7,802 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(e)(3)(i): The employer did not provide a follow-up medical examination for employees who gave a positive response to any question among questions 1 through 8 in Section 2, Part A of Appendix C, or whose initial medical evaluation demonstrated a need for a follow-up medical examination:  (a) Heights Healthcare, LLC at 1440 Coffman Street in Longmont, Colorado: On or before May 25, 2021, the employer did not provide a follow-up medical examination for employees who gave a positive response to any question among questions 1 through 8 in Section 2, Part A of Appendix C. Employees were required to wear N95 filtering facepieces when they interacted with suspected or confirmed COVID-positive residents. This condition exposed employees to respiratory hazards.  Abatement documentation and certification are required. Documentation will be medical opinions on ability to wear respirators as provided to each the previously identified list of employees.

Issued

Aug 10, 2021

Abate by

Sep 13, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $5,850

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:  (a) Heights Healthcare, LLC at 1440 Coffman Street in Longmont, Colorado: On or before May 25, 2021, the employer did not provide fit testing to employees before they were required to use respirators. Employees were required to wear N95 filtering facepieces when they interacted with suspected or confirmed COVID-positive residents. This condition exposed employees to respiratory hazards.  Abatement documentation and certification are required. Documentation will be initial fit test records for all employees hired in 2021.

Issued

Aug 10, 2021

Abate by

Oct 15, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(k): The employer did not provide comprehensive, understandable training which did not occur annually and/or more often if necessary:   (a) Heights Healthcare, LLC at 1440 Coffman Street in Longmont, Colorado: On or before May 25, 2021, the employer did not provide effective training for employees who were required to use respirators. Employees were required to wear N95 filtering facepieces when they interacted with suspected or confirmed COVID-positive residents. This condition exposed employees to respiratory hazards.  Abatement documentation and certification are required. Documentation will be the training content, compliant with 29 CFR 1910.134(k), and retraining records for all employees in the facility�s respiratory protection program. Abatement due date is 10/15/2021.

Issued

Aug 10, 2021

Abate by

Oct 15, 2021

Penalty

Initial $9,753 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1030(c)(1)(ii)(A): The employer's Exposure Control Plan did not include the exposure determination required by 1910.1030(c)(2):  (a)  Heights Healthcare, LLC at 1440 Coffman Street in Longmont, Colorado: On or before May 25, 2021, the employer did not ensure that the Exposure Control Plan included the exposure determination of occupational exposed employees.  Employees performed tasks that exposed them to blood or Other Potentially Infectious Materials (OPIM) regularly, including administering insulin, IVs, central lines, and other injections, or shaving residents with disposable razors.  Employees also performed housekeeping tasks and response to spills of blood or OPIM. This condition exposed employees to a bloodborne pathogens hazard.  Abatement documentation and certification are required. Documentation will be the bloodborne pathogen program compliant with 29 CFR 1910.1030(c)(1)(ii)(A). Abatement due date is 10/15/2021.

Issued

Aug 10, 2021

Abate by

Oct 15, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv): The Exposure Control Plan was not reviewed and/or updated annually:  (a)  Heights Healthcare, LLC at 1440 Coffman Street in Longmont, Colorado: On or before May 25, 2021, the employer did not ensure that the Exposure Control Plan was reviewed and/or updated annually.  Employees performed tasks that exposed them to blood or Other Potentially Infectious Materials (OPIM) regularly, including administering insulin, IVs, central lines, and other injections, or shaving residents with disposable razors. Employees also performed housekeeping tasks and response to spills of blood or OPIM.  This condition exposed employees to a bloodborne pathogens hazard.  (b)  Heights Healthcare, LLC at 1440 Coffman Street in Longmont, Colorado: On or before May 25, 2021, the employer did not ensure that the Exposure Control Plan documented annual consideration and implementation of safer medical devices.  Employees performed tasks that exposed them to blood or Other Potentially Infectious Materials (OPIM) regularly, including administering insulin, IVs, central lines, and other injections, or shaving residents with disposable razors. Employees also performed housekeeping tasks and response to spills of blood or OPIM.  The employer had not reviewed and/or updated the Exposure Control Plan annually.  This condition exposed employees to a bloodborne pathogens hazard.  Abatement documentation and certification are required. Documentation will be the bloodborne pathogen program compliant with 29 CFR 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv). Abatement due date is 10/15/2021.

Issued

Aug 10, 2021

Abate by

Sep 13, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $7,315

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1030(f)(2): The employer did not make the Hepatitis B vaccination available to employees after the required training was received and within 10 working days of initial assignment, who have occupational exposure:  (a)  Heights Healthcare, LLC at 1440 Coffman Street in Longmont, Colorado: On or before May 25, 2021, the employer did not ensure the Hepatitis B vaccination was available for employees with occupational exposure to blood or Other Potentially Infectious Materials (OPIM) within 10 working days of initial assignment.  Employees performed tasks that exposed them to blood or Other Potentially Infectious Materials (OPIM) regularly, including administering insulin, IVs, central lines, and other injections, or shaving residents with disposable razors. Employees also performed housekeeping tasks and response to spills of blood or OPIM. This condition exposed employees to a bloodborne pathogens hazard.  Abatement documentation and certification are required. Documentation will be records of completed vaccination series for all employees who have requested the hepatitis B vaccine.