OSHA Inspection: VETERANS ADMINISTRATION MEDICAL CENTER

Issued

Sep 29, 2023

Abate by

Oct 19, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.22(a)(1):29 CFR 1910.22(a)(1): The employer did not ensure that all places of employment, passageways, storerooms, service rooms, and walking-working surfaces are kept in a clean, orderly, and sanitary condition.  a) On or about June 27th, 2023, at the Veterans Administration Construction Department Shed, the passageways and walking-working surfaces were cluttered with tools, boxes, pallet jacks, construction materials and other miscellaneous items along the walkways, , exposing employees to tripping hazards.  b) On or about June 27th, 2023, at the Veterans Administration Construction Department, Tool Room for Equipment Storage, the passageways and walking-working surfaces were cluttered with tools, boxes, and other miscellaneous items along the walkways, exposing employees to tripping hazards.  c) On or about June 27th, 2023, at the Veterans Administration Construction Department, Administrative Office, this office space was utilized to store paints and other chemical materials, , exposing employees to tripping hazards.  NOTE: Certification and documentation of abatement must be submitted for all instances of this citation item as required by CFR 1903.19(c) and (d), respectively.

Issued

Sep 29, 2023

Abate by

Oct 19, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.25(b)(6): The employer did not ensure that each stair can support at least five times the normal anticipated live load, but never less than a concentrated load of 1,000 pounds (454 kg) applied at any point.  a) On or about June 27th, 2023, at the Veterans Administration Construction Department Shed, the bottom step of the stairs leading towards the civilian lounge was broken and damaged exposing the employees to trip hazards.  NOTE: Certification and documentation of abatement must be submitted for this citation item as required by 29 CFR 1903 (c) and (d) respectively.

Issued

Sep 29, 2023

Abate by

Oct 19, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.36(g)(2):Exit access was not at least 28 inches (71.1 cm) wide at all points.  a) On or about June 27th, 2023, at the Veterans Administration Construction Department Shed, the exit access was about 20 inches of width due to all the equipment and materials on that area, exposing employees to fire hazards considering that this was the primary and only exit access.  b) On or about June 27th, 2023, at the Veterans Administration Construction Department Tool and Equipment Storage Room, the exit access was about 11 inches of width due to all the equipment and materials on that area, exposing employees to fire hazards considering that this was the primary and only exit access.   NOTE: Certification and documentation of abatement must be submitted for all instances of this citation item as required by 29 CFR 1903 (c) and (d) respectively.

Issued

Sep 29, 2023

Abate by

Oct 19, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.37(a)(3):Exit route(s) were not kept free and unobstructed:  a) On or about June 27th, 2023, at the Veterans Administration Construction Department Tool and Equipment Storage Room, the employer did not ensure the emergency exit door was unlocked (locked).  In addition, the door was obstructed by a plastic cart, exposing employees to fire hazards.    NOTE: Certification and documentation of abatement must be submitted for this citation item as required by CFR 1903.19(c).

Issued

Sep 29, 2023

Abate by

Oct 19, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.101(b): The in-plant handling, storage, and utilization of all compressed gases in cylinders, portable tanks, rail tankcars, or motor vehicle cargo tanks were not in accordance with Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet P-1-1965, which is incorporated by reference as specified in CFR 1910.6:   a) On or about June 27th, 2023, at the Veterans Administration Construction Department Shed, two liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanks with a capacity of 15.2 pounds each, for forklifts were not secured with chains and inside a cage to avoid them from falling and getting damaged, exposing employees to explosion hazards since this is an area where they congregate.   NOTE: Certification and documentation of abatement must be submitted for this citation item as required by CFR 1903.19(c) and (d), respectively.

Issued

Sep 29, 2023

Abate by

Oct 19, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.157(c)(1):Portable fire extinguishers were not mounted, located and identified so that they were readily accessible without subjecting the employees to injuries:  a) On or about June 27th, 2023, at the Veterans Administration Construction Department Shed a Badger brand fire extinguisher (10 pounds, model ADV-10, ABC) was obstructed by several 5-gallon buckets of paint, not allowing for easy access and exposing employees to fire hazards.   NOTE: Certification and documentation of abatement must be submitted for this citation item as required by 29 CFR 1903 (c) and (d) respectively.

Issued

Sep 29, 2023

Abate by

Oct 19, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.176(b):Storage of material created a hazard:  a) On or about June 27th, 2023, at the Veterans Administration Construction Department Shed plastic piping was stored in a quantity exceeding the capacity of the supports exposing the employees to struck-by hazards.  b) On or about June 27th, 2023, at the Veterans Administration Construction Department Shed, and excessive weight of plastic and metal piping were stored on bent and rotten wooden shelves with support beams misaligned.  The excess weight is causing a separation of the shelves from the supporting posts, exposing employees to struck-by hazards.        c) On or about June 27th, 2023, at the Veterans Administration Construction Department Civilian Rest area, 20-feet copper piping was stored in racks designed for 10-feet piping and improperly secured with wiring exposing the employees to struck-by hazards.  NOTE: Certification and documentation of abatement must be submitted for all instances of this citation item as required by 29 CFR 1903 (c) and (d) respectively.

Issued

Sep 29, 2023

Abate by

Oct 19, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(g)(1):Sufficient access and working space was not provided and maintained about all electric equipment (operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground) to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment:  a)  On or about June 27th, 2023, at the Veterans Administration Construction Department, Administrative Office, one electrical service panel was not readily accessible, panel was blocked by boxes and 5-gallon buckets of paint and other chemicals exposing employees to electrical and fire hazards.  NOTE: Certification and documentation of abatement must be submitted for this citation item as required by CFR 1903.19(c).

Issued

Sep 29, 2023

Abate by

Oct 19, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(C):Flexible cords and cables were used where run through doorways, windows, or similar openings:  a) On or about June 27th, 2023, at the Veterans Administration Construction Department Tool and Equipment Storage Room, there was an electrical cable running between a frame and a door.  This action can cause damage to the cable and exposed employees to electrical hazards.  NOTE: Certification and documentation of abatement must be submitted for this citation item as required by 29 CFR 1903 (c) and (d) respectively.

Issued

Sep 29, 2023

Abate by

Oct 19, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(g)(2)(i):Except as elsewhere required or permitted by Subpart S of Part 1910, live parts of electric equipment operating  at 50 volts or more were not guarded against accidental contact by use of approved cabinets or other forms of approved enclosures or by any of the means identified in paragraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D) of 29 CFR 1910.303(g)(2)(i):  a) On or about June 27th, 2023, at the Veterans Administration Construction Department Civilian Rest area, near the door, there were electrical cables exposed coming from an outlet.  This action can expose employees to electrical hazards.  NOTE: Certification and documentation of abatement must be submitted for this citation item as required by 29 CFR 1903 (c) and (d) respectively.

Issued

Sep 29, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1904.39(a)(2):The employer failed to report the in-patient hospitalization of one or more employees, as a result of a work-related incident, within (24) twenty-four hours.  a) On May 30th, 2023, at the Veterans Administration Hospital, an employee from the Construction Department was moving some construction materials (i.e. cyclone fence gate) inside of the VA Construction Team Shop while cleaning the shop. The gate fell on him. He tried to lift the gate but could not do it. He started to feel dizzy and sick.  His coworkers came to assist him and took the heavy object off him.  Employee suffered a stroke and was hospitalized for three days.  Supervisor did not notify the incident to the VA Safety and Health Officer nor to OSHA within 24 hours.  When the employee reported back to work on June 22nd, 2023, it was when the Safety and Health Officer came into knowledge of this incident and reported it to OSHA via online.  NOTE:   Certification of abatement is not required for this citation item as abatement was documented by the compliance safety and health officer during the inspection.