OSHA Inspection: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Issued

Mar 7, 2022

Abate by

Apr 21, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(k)(5): Respiratory protection retraining was not conducted annually:   VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, VA Medical Center located at 10 N Greene Street Baltimore, MD 21215:  (a)  On or about September 9, 2021, the employer failed to  ensure that employees, required to wear N95 respirators, received annual respiratory protection training.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet), in addition, documentation demonstrating the abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Mar 7, 2022

Abate by

Mar 21, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(m)(2)(ii): Fit test records were not retained for respirator users until the next fit test was administered:  VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, VA Medical Center located at 10 N Greene Street Baltimore, MD 21215:  (a)  On or about September 9, 2021, the employer was unable to provide documentation of fit testing for employees who were previously fit tested and required to use N95 respirators while performing patient care duties.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet).

Issued

Mar 7, 2022

Abate by

Apr 11, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.502(f)(2)(i): The employer did not provide a respirator to each employee who had exposure to a person with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 in accordance with 29 CFR � 1910.134.    VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, VA Medical Center located at 10 N Greene Street Baltimore, MD 21215:  (a)  On or about September 9, 2021,  The employer required employees to wear N95 filtering facepiece respirators to protect against the SARS-CoV-2 while providing care to suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients.  Each employee required to wear a respirator had not received a fit test.   (b) On or about September 9, 2021, The employer required employees to wear N95 filtering facepiece respirators to protect against the SARS-CoV-2 while providing care to suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients.  Each employee required to wear a respirator had not received annual respiratory protection training.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Mar 7, 2022

Abate by

Apr 11, 2022

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:  VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, VA Medical Center located at 10 N Greene Street Baltimore, MD 21215:  (a)  On or about September 9, 2021, at the Unit 5B Nurses' Station, employees were not separated from each other by at least 6 feet when giving reports on patients and completing medical documentation at the computers.    (b) On or about September 9, 2021, in the Unit 5B Lunchroom, employees were not separated from each other by at least 6 feet while eating and taking their breaks.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet), in addition, documentation demonstrating the abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Mar 7, 2022

Abate by

Apr 11, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.502(i): The employer did not install cleanable or disposable solid barriers, when such barriers were feasible at each fixed work location outside of direct patient care areas where each employee is not separated from all other people by at least 6 feet of distance:  VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, VA Medical Center located at 10 N Greene Street Baltimore, MD 21215:  (a)  On or about September 9, 2021, at the Unit 5B Nurses' Station, cleanable or disposable solid barriers were not installed on top of the counter to separate healthcare providers from patients' visitors who came to the nurses counter throughout the day.   Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Mar 7, 2022

Abate by

Mar 14, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.502(l)(3)(i)(A): The employer did not, within 24 hours, notify each employee who was not wearing a respirator and any other required PPE, and had been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, along with the date(s) that contact occurred:  VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, VA Medical Center located at 10 N Greene Street Baltimore, MD 21215:  (a)  On or about September 9, 2021, Unit 5B,  the employer failed to notify employees who had been in close contact to a person with confirmed COVID-19,  and potentially exposed to SAR- CoV-2, and the virus that causes Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet), in addition, documentation demonstrating the abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Mar 7, 2022

Abate by

Mar 15, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.502(l)(5)(iii)(A): The employer did not pay the employee the same regular pay and benefits, up to $1,400 per week, until the employee met the return to work criteria specified in paragraph (l)(4)(iii) or (l)(6) of this section:  VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, VA Medical Center located at 10 N Greene Street Baltimore, MD 21215:  (a)  On or about October 27, 2021, and continuing thereafter, the employer did not pay a Registered Nurse up to $1,400 per week while they were medically removed from work due to contracting COVID-19 between  August 31, 2021 and February 7, 2022. The employee was paid for 46.25 hours for the pay period that ended on 10/9/21 and 8 hours for the pay period that ended 10/23/2021.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet), in addition, documentation demonstrating the abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Mar 7, 2022

Abate by

Apr 11, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.502(n)(1)(ix): The employer did not ensure that each employee received training on the available sick leave policies, any COVID-19-related benefits to which the employee may be entitled under applicable federal, state, or local laws, and other supportive policies and practices (e.g., telework, flexible hours).    VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, VA Medical Center located at 10 N Greene Street Baltimore, MD 21215:  (a)  On or about September 9, 2021,  the employer failed to ensure that Unit 5B staff and their representatives received training on sick leave policies and any COVID-19 related benefits  such as but not limited to the medical removal benefits and workers compensation benefits as they relate to COVID-19.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet), in addition, documentation demonstrating the abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Mar 7, 2022

Abate by

Apr 11, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(f)(2): Employee(s) using a tight-fitting facepiece respirator were not fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator  and were not annually fit tested:  VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, VA Medical Center located at 10 N Greene Street Baltimore, MD 21215:  (a)  On or about September 9, 2021, the employer did not provide an annual fit test to all 5B employees  required to wear respirators.   The employer required employees to wear N95 filtering facepiece respirators to protect against the SARS-CoV-2 while providing care to suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients.  The Department of Veterans Affairs was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2), which was contained in OSHA Inspection #1473501, Notice #1, Item #1 and was affirmed as a final order on 02/25/2021, with respect to a workplace located at 4545 E. 9th Ave, Denver, CO.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet), in addition, documentation demonstrating the abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Mar 7, 2022

Abate by

Mar 24, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1904.29(b)(1): A Log of all recordable work-related injuries and illnesses (OSHA Form 300 or equivalent), was not completed in the detail as required by the regulation:   VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, VA Medical Center located at 10 N Greene Street Baltimore, MD 21215:  (a) On or about  September 30, 2021, the employer entered "injury" in column F and did not list the type of injury, part of body affected and the object/substance that directly injured the employee for partial case #10068.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet).

Issued

Mar 7, 2022

Abate by

Mar 24, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.29(b)(2):  The employer did not fill out or correctly fill out an OSHA Form 301 or equivalent for each recordable injury or illness:  VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, VA Medical Center located at 10 N Greene Street Baltimore, MD 21215  (a) On or about October 22, 2021, for case #10237028 , Item 17, "The object or substance that directly harmed the employee" was left blank.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet).

Issued

Mar 7, 2022

Abate by

Mar 15, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR �1904.29(b)(3): Each recordable injury or illness was not entered on the OSHA 300 Log and/or an incident report (OSHA Form 301 or equivalent) within seven (7) calendar days of receiving information that a recordable injury or illness has occurred:  VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, VA Medical Center located at 10 N Greene Street Baltimore, MD 21215:  (a) On or about September 8, the employer did not record a work-related illness, case #9959825, on the OSHA 300 Log and OSHA Form 301 within 7 days of receiving the information. (b) On or about September 9, 2021, the employer did not record a work-related illness, case #9953075, on the OSHA Form 301 within 7 days of receiving the information. (c) On or about September10, 2021 2, 2021, the employer did not record a work-related illness, case #9953642, on the OSHA Form 301 within 7 days of receiving the information. (d) On or about September 10, 2021, the employer did not record a work-related illness, case #9953453, on the OSHA Form 301 within 7 days of receiving the information. (e) On or about October 8, 2021, the employer did not record a work-related illness, partial case #10068, on the OSHA Form 301 within 7 days of receiving the information.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet), in addition, documentation demonstrating the abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Mar 7, 2022

Abate by

Mar 15, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1904.29(b)(7)(v):  Needlestick injuries and cuts from sharp objects that are contaminated with another person's blood or other potentially infectious material were not recorded on the OSHA 300 Log as a privacy case:  VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, VA Medical Center located at 10 N Greene Street Baltimore, MD 21215:  (a)  On or about November 20, 2021, the employer did not correctly record a needlestick injury, case #10440558, as a privacy case on the calendar year 2021 OSHA Form 300.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet).

Issued

Mar 7, 2022

Abate by

Mar 15, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.502(c)(5): The employer did not seek the input and involvement of non-managerial employees and their representatives, if any, in the hazard assessment, and the development and implementation of the COVID-19 plan.  VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, VA Medical Center located at 10 N Greene Street Baltimore, MD 21215:  (a)  On or about September 9, 2021, and continuing thereafter, the employer failed to solicit input and involvement from union representatives for the  hazard assessment, and in the development or implementation of their COVID-19 plan.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet).

Issued

Mar 7, 2022

Abate by

Mar 15, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.502(q)(2)(ii)(A): The COVID-19 log did not contain, the employee's name, one form of contact information, occupation, location where the employee worked, the date of the employee's last day at the workplace, the date of the positive test for, or diagnosis of, COVID-19, and the date the employee first had one or more COVID-19 symptoms, if any were experienced:  VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, VA Medical Center located at 10 N Greene Street Baltimore, MD 21215:  (a)  On or about September 23, 2021, the employer  failed to ensure that the  COVID-19 log contained one form of contact information, the date of the employee's last day at the workplace, and the date the employee first had one or more COVID-19 symptoms.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet).

Issued

Mar 1, 2022

Abate by

Mar 9, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1904.7(b)(3): An injury or illness involving one or more days away from work, was not recorded on the OSHA 300 Log with an entry of the number of calendar days away from work in the number of days column.      VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, VA Medical Center located at 10 N Greene Street Baltimore, MD 21215:   On or about November 2, 2021, and continuing thereafter, the employer did not record workplace injuries correctly on the OSHA 300 log for calendar year 2021, which includes the following:  a) On or about September 1, 2021, case #9953075, Francisca Nwaigwe - Nurse, acquired COVID-19, while working in Unit 5B, resulting in lost time. Although the incident was recorded on the log as days away from work checked in column H, no days were recorded in column K.    b) On or about September 2, 2021, case #9953642, Sydne Brown, 0610 - Nurse, acquired COVID-19, resulting in lost time. Although this incident was recorded on the log as days away from work checked in column H, no days away were recorded in column K.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet).