OSHA Inspection: WEST SUBURBAN NURSING AND REHABILITATION CENTER, LLC

Issued

Oct 6, 2021

Abate by

Dec 15, 2021

Penalty

Initial $10,728 · Current $6,435 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(f)(2):  The employer did not ensure that an employee using a tight-fitting facepiece respirator was fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator, whenever a different respirator facepiece (size, style, model or make) was used, and at least annually thereafter.  West Suburban Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, LLC located at 311 Edgewater Drive, Bloomingdale, IL 60108:  On or about July 28, 2021 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 (Model VENUS CN95+) to protect against the SARS-CoV-2 virus while providing care to suspected positive COVID-19 residents and performing tasks  such as, but not limited to, feeding, bathing, maintaining continence, inserting and maintaining IV's, and conducting assessments for residents.   Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with 29CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Oct 6, 2021

Abate by

Oct 29, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A): The employer did not prohibit a tight-fitting facepiece respirator to be worn by employees who had facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face:  Yellow/Quarantine Zone: 311 Edgewater Drive, Bloomingdale, IL 60108:  On or about July 28, 2021, housekeeping employees were required to use tight-fitting filtering facepiece N95 respirators (model VENUS CN95+) when entering the Yellow/Quarantine Zone of the facility.  A housekeeping employee was observed having facial hair that interfered with the respirator seal, potentially exposing the employee to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Oct 6, 2021

Abate by

Oct 29, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(g)(1)(i)(B):  The employer did not prohibit respirators with tight-fitting facepieces to be worn by employees  who have:  Any condition that interferes with the face-to-facepiece seal or valve function:  Yellow/Quarantine Zone: 311 Edgewater Drive, Bloomingdale, IL 60108:  On or about July 28, 2021, housekeeping employees were required to use tight-fitting filtering facepiece N95 respirators (Model VENUS CN95+) when entering the Yellow/Quarantine Zone of the facility.  A housekeeping employee and a nursing employee were observed wearing a surgical mask underneath the  N95 respirator, which interfered with the respirator seal, potentially exposing them to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Oct 6, 2021

Abate by

Nov 4, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.502(f)(2)(i):  the employer did not ensure that respirators provided to each employee were worn in accordance with section � 1910.134:  Yellow/Quarantine Zone: 311 Edgewater Drive, Bloomingdale, IL 60108:  a) On or about July 28, 2021, housekeeping employees were required to use tight-fitting filtering facepiece N95 respirators (Model VENUS CN95+) when entering the Yellow/Quarantine Zone of the facility.  A housekeeping employee and a nursing employee were observed wearing a surgical mask underneath the  N95 respirator, which interfered with the respirator seal, potentially exposing them to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.  b) On or about July 28, 2021 housekeeping employees were required to use tight-fitting filtering facepiece N95 respirators (Model VENUS CN95+)  when entering the Yellow/Quarantine Zone of the facility.  A housekeeping employee was observed having facial hair, which interfered with the respirator seal, potentially exposing the employee to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Oct 6, 2021

Abate by

Oct 29, 2021

Penalty

Initial $8,582 · Current $5,150 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(k)(1)(i):  The employer did not ensure that each employee could demonstrate knowledge of why the respirator was necessary and how improper fit, usage, or maintenance could compromise the protective effect of the respirator:  Yellow/Quarantine Zone: 311 Edgewater Drive, Bloomingdale, IL 60108:  a) On or about July 28, 2021, the employer did not provide housekeeping employee(s) with effective training in  how improper usage can compromise the protective effect of the respirator against SARS-CoV-2.  A housekeeping employee, required to use tight-fitting filtering facepiece N95 respirator (Model VENUS CN95+) when entering the "Yellow/Quarantine Zone" of the facility, was observed having facial hair, while wearing a surgical mask underneath the N95 respirator, which interfered with the respirator seal.    b) On or about July 28, 2021, the employer did not provide  CNA/staffing agency employee(s) with effective training in how  improper usage can compromise the protective effect of the respirator against SARS-CoV-2.  A nursing employee, required to use tight-fitting filtering facepiece N95 respirators (Model VENUS CN95+) when entering the "Yellow/Quarantine Zone" of the facility, was observed wearing a surgical mask underneath the N95 respirator, which interfered with the respirator seal.   Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Oct 6, 2021

Abate by

Oct 29, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.502(n)(2)(iii):  The employer did not ensure that each employee received additional training whenever there was an indication that the employee has not retained the necessary understanding or skill.  Yellow/Quarantine Zone: 311 Edgewater Drive, Bloomingdale, IL 60108:  a) On or about July 28, 2021, the employer failed to provide additional training to a housekeeping employee who was observed having facial hair and wearing a surgical mask underneath the tight-fitting filtering facepiece N95 respirator (Model VENUS CN95+), which interfered with the respirator seal, when entering the "Yellow/Quarantine Zone" of the facility.    b) On or about July 28, 2021, the employer failed to provide  additional training to CNA/staffing agency employee(s) who were observed wearing a surgical mask underneath the tight-fitting filtering facepiece N95 respirators (Model VENUS CN95+), which interfered with the respirator seal, when entering the "Yellow/Quarantine Zone" of the facility.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Oct 6, 2021

Abate by

Dec 15, 2021

Penalty

Initial $10,728 · Current $6,435 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.502(c)(4)i: The employer did not conduct a workplace-specific hazard assessment to identify potential workplace hazards related to COVID-19.  First Floor Nurses' Station:  311 Edgewater Drive, Bloomingdale, IL 60108:  On or about July 28, 2021, the employer did not conduct a hazard assessment specific to the nurses' station in Wing 100, 200, and  300 where unvaccinated healthcare providers, (including but not limited to LPNs, CNAs, RNs), spend in excess of 15 minutes per shift in close proximity (5 feet or less) to each other, while performing tasks such as, but not limited to data entry, phone calls, and reports at the end of each shift.  Healthcare staff did not physically distance at all times when not providing medical care and barriers were not installed at the nurses' station.  Abatement documentation is required of this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Oct 6, 2021

Abate by

Dec 15, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.502(h)(1):  The employer did not ensure that each employee was separated from all other people by at least 6 feet when indoors when such physical distancing was feasible.  First Floor Nurses' Station:  311 Edgewater Drive, Bloomingdale, IL 60108:  On or about July 28, 2021, at the Nurses Station by the 100, 200 and 300 Wings, the employer failed to ensure that unvaccinated healthcare providers maintained 6 feet separation from other nursing home staff when not involved in direct patient care activities.  Unvaccinated healthcare providers, including but not limited to, LPNs, CNAs, and RNs, spend in excess of 15 minutes per shift in close proximity, to one another, of approximately 5 feet, during the course of the shift, performing tasks including data entry, phone calls, and reports at each end of shift.  Healthcare staff did not physically distance at all times, to the extent possible, when not providing medical care.  Abatement documentation is required of this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Oct 6, 2021

Abate by

Dec 15, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.502(i):  Physical barriers.  At each fixed work location outside of direct patient care areas (e.g., entryway/lobby, check-in desks, triage, hospital pharmacy windows, bill payment) where each employee is not separated from all other people by at least 6 feet of distance, the employer did not install cleanable or disposable solid barriers, except where the employer can demonstrate it is not feasible.  The barrier must be sized (e.g., height and width) and located to block face-to-face pathways between individuals based on where each person would normally stand or sit. The barrier may have a pass-through space at the bottom for objects and merchandise.  First Floor Nurses' Station:  311 Edgewater Drive, Bloomingdale, IL 60108:  On or about July 28, 2021 at the Nurses' Station by the 100, 200, and 300 Wings, the employer failed to ensure that unvaccinated healthcare providers were separated from other nursing home staff by physical barriers at fixed workstations.  Unvaccinated healthcare providers including but not limited to LPNs, CNAs, RNs, spend in excess of 15 minutes per shift in close proximity to each other (approximately 5 feet), during the course of the shift, while performing tasks including data entry, phone calls and reports at each end of shift.  Physical barriers were not installed at the Nurses' Station.  Abatement documentation is required of this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Oct 6, 2021

Abate by

Dec 15, 2021

Penalty

Initial $10,728 · Current $4,245 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.502(c)(4)(ii):  The COVID-19 plan  did not include policies and procedures to determine employees' vaccination status if claiming exemptions in (a)(4) of this section.  First Floor Nurses' Station:  311 Edgewater Drive, Bloomingdale, IL 60108:  On or about July 28, 2021, the employer failed to ensure the COVID-19 plan included policies and procedures to determine the vaccination status of staffing agency employees on the First Floor.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Oct 6, 2021

Abate by

Dec 15, 2021

Penalty

Initial $10,728 · Current $6,435 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.502(c)(6):The employer did not monitor each workplace to ensure the ongoing effectiveness of the COVID-19 plan and update it as needed.   On or about July 28, 2021, the employer did not monitor the free movement of unmasked residents under quarantine status in-and-out of the "Yellow/Quarantine Zone" to ensure  that isolated resident(s) under investigation (PUIs) remain confined to the "Yellow/Quarantine Zone" and do not potentially spread  COVID-19 to staff and residents.  A resident assigned to the "Yellow/Quarantine Zone" was observed passing through the facility on their way outside the building, without wearing any source of control (e.g. surgical mask or N95 filtering facepiece respirator).   Abatement documentation is required of this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Oct 6, 2021

Abate by

Dec 15, 2021

Penalty

Initial $32,181 · Current $19,300 Reduced

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 is fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace:  West Suburban Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, LLC located at 311 Edgewater Drive, Bloomingdale, IL 60108:  On or about July 28, 2021, the employer did not provide a medical evaluation to determine each employee's ability to use a respirator before requiring use.  The employer required employees to wear N95 respirators (Model VENUS CN95+) while providing care to suspected COVID-19 residents, when performing tasks such as, but not limited to, feeding, bathing, maintaining continence, and conducting assessments for residents.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d).  West Suburban Nursing and Rehabilitation Center , LLC, was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard (1910.134(e)(1)), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1492236, citation number 1, item number 1b, and was affirmed as a final order on February 12, 2021, with respect to a workplace located at 311 Edgewater Drive Bloomingdale, IL 60108.