OSHA Inspection: SAINT CLOUD SD SKILLED NURSING FACILITY, LLC

Issued

Jul 21, 2022

Abate by

Aug 16, 2022

Penalty

Initial $8,702 · Current $5,221 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(d)(1)(iv): The employer did not select respirators from a sufficient number of respirator models and sizes to ensure the respirators used in the worksite were acceptable to and correctly fit the users:  (a)Saint Cloud SD Skilled Nursing Facility, LLC DBA Avantara Saint Cloud at 302 Saint Cloud Street in Rapid City, SD 57701: On or about and at times prior to March 22, 2022, the employer did not ensure a sufficient number of respirator models and sizes were provided to employees to support employees completing fit testing.  Approximately 13 employees (20% of staff) were noted to have failed fit testing for reasons including the N-95 provided for fit testing did not provide a adequate seal between facepiece of the respirator and the user's face. Employees were required to use N-95 respirators when working with/caring for a suspected or know COVID-19 positive resident. Employees may suffer occupational exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus due to this condition.  Abatement Note:  An effective respiratory protection program includes the following provisions of this section, as applicable:  (1)          Procedures for selecting respirators for use in the workplace;  (2)          Medical evaluations of employees required to use respirators;  (3)          Fit testing procedures for tight-fitting respirators;  (4)          Procedures for proper use of respirators in routine and reasonably foreseeable emergency situations;  (5)          Procedures and schedules for cleaning, disinfecting, storing, inspecting, repairing, discarding, and otherwise maintaining respirators;  (6)          Procedures to ensure adequate air quality, quantity, and flow of breathing air for atmosphere-supplying respirators;  (7)          Training of employees in the respiratory hazards to which they are potentially exposed during routine and emergency situations;  (8)          Training of employees in the proper use of respirators, including putting on and removing them, any limitations on their use, and their maintenance; and  (9)          Procedures for regularly evaluating the effectiveness of the program.

Issued

Jul 21, 2022

Abate by

Aug 16, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(h)(2)(i): Respirators were not stored to protect them from damage, contamination, dust, sunlight, extreme temperatures, excessive moisture, and damaging chemicals or  were not packed or stored to prevent deformation of the facepiece and exhalation valve:  (a)Saint Cloud SD Skilled Nursing Facility, LLC DBA Avantara Saint Cloud at 302 Saint Cloud Street in Rapid City, SD 57701: On or about and at times prior to March 22, 2022, the employer did not ensure N-95 respirators were stored in a manner that protected them from contamination of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, in that employee N-95 respirators were stored in paper bags hung on a string by clothespins in a common hallway accessible to employees, residents and visitors. Some of the paper bags were not closed securely to inhibit exposure to the ambient atmosphere outside the bag. Other personal protective equipment was also stored in these bags including visors and other eye protection.

Issued

Jul 21, 2022

Abate by

Aug 16, 2022

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)Saint Cloud SD Skilled Nursing Facility, LLC DBA Avantara Saint Cloud at 302 Saint Cloud Street in Rapid City, SD 57701: On or about and at times prior to March 22, 2022, the employer did not ensure employees were provided training as required under this section on use of respiratory protection.