OSHA Inspection: DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS - VHA

Issued

Jun 4, 2025

Abate by

Jun 24, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.36(g)(2):Exit access(es) were not at least 28 inches (71.1 cm) wide at all points.  On or About 18 December, 2024 and at times prior thereto, employees working in the Mann-Grandstaff VAMC were exposed to  minor respiratory illness, contusions, and abrasions when their employer failed to ensure that exit egress in their work area was at least 28 inches wide.  (a)Building 1, West Consolidated Patient Account Center/Facility Revenue  Office (b) Building 1, PCS- Chiefs Office Suite

Issued

Jun 4, 2025

Abate by

Jun 24, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.37(a)(3): Exit route(s) were not kept free and unobstructed:  On or about 18 December 2024, and at times prior thereto, employees working in the administration building were exposed to respiratory illness from smoke inhalation and burns, abrasions and contusions when their employer failed to ensure each exit route was kept free and unobstructed.    (a) CLC- Construction area next to room 139

Issued

Jun 4, 2025

Abate by

Jun 24, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.37(b)(5):Each doorway or passage along an exit access that could be mistaken for an exit was not marked "Not an Exit" or similar designation, or be identified by a sign indicating its actual use (e.g. closet):  On or about 18 December 2024, and at times prior thereto, Veterans Health Administration-Mann Grandstaff VAMC, Police Services employees were exposed to respiratory illness from smoke inhalation and burns, abrasions and contusions when their employer failed to ensure that passages along an exit access that could be mistaken for an exit were not marked "Not an Exit" or similar designation, or be identified by a sign indicating its actual use.   (a) Building 6  Locked door between Police Services and HR (b)Building 6  Locked door between HR and Police Services   (e) Building 16-Warehouse Building, Pharmacy storage door next to emergency exit

Issued

Jun 4, 2025

Abate by

Jun 24, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(a)(4): Modifications and additions which affect capacity and safe operation of powered industrial truck were performed by the employer without the manufacturer's prior written approval:   (a)On or about 18 December, 2024, and at times prior thereto, Mann-Grandstaff VAMC employees were exposed to laceration, contusion, broken bones, severe head injuries and death while using a damaged pallet  to extend  the work platform of a Toyota 7BPUE15, S/N: 85569 forklift  in building 16.

Issued

Jun 4, 2025

Abate by

Jun 24, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.215(b)(9):The distance between the abrasive wheel periphery(s) and the adjustable tongue or the end of the safety guard peripheral member at the top exceeded one fourth inch:  (a)On or about 18 December, 2024, and at times prior thereto,  Mann-Grandstaff VAMC employees working in Building 3 were exposed to broken digits, abrasions, lacerations, eye injuries when their employer failed to ensure that the abrasive wheel of the Black and Decker Professional 1766 Bench Grinder S/N: 2052032-9221 was appropriately spaced in relation to its guard.

Issued

Jun 4, 2025

Abate by

Jun 24, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.215(a)(4): Work rest(s) on grinding machinery were not adjusted closely to the wheel with a maximum opening of one eighth inch:  (a)On or about 18 December, 2024, and at times prior thereto, Mann-Grandstaff VAMC Employees working in building 3 were exposed to broken digits, abrasions, lacerations, eye injuries when their employer failed to ensure that the work rest of the Black and Decker Professional 1766 Bench Grinder S/N: 2052032-9221 in the shop room was adjusted to a maximum distance of within 1/8 inch from the wheel.

Issued

Jun 4, 2025

Abate by

Jun 24, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(g)(1)(i)(C):For electric equipment operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground, and likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized, the width of work space was not clear and did not extend from the grade, floor, or platform to the height required by paragraph (g)(1)(vi) of 29 CFR 1910.303:  On or about J March 28, 2024, and at times prior thereto, Mann-Grandstaff VAMC, employees were exposed to burns, injuries from smoke inhalation, contusions, and abrasions when electric equipment operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground, was not clear and did not extend from the grade, floor, or platform to the height required by paragraph (g)(1)(vi) of 29 CFR 1910.303:  Electric equipment operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground- Facility ID number for each piece of  electrical equipment are below:   (a)	PANEL 0W (b) 1N2-  (c)1N5- (d) Panel 6E (e)X-RAY 3

Issued

Jun 4, 2025

Abate by

Jun 24, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1030(c)(1)(iv): The Exposure Control Plan was not reviewed and updated at least annually.  (a)On or about 19 December 2024, and at times prior thereto, Veterans Health Administration, Mann-Grandtsaff VAMC employees were exposed to Occupational injuries and illnesses from exposure to blood and other potentially infectious fluid exposures when their employer failed to ensure that the  Exposure Control Plan was reviewed at least annually.

Issued

Jun 4, 2025

Abate by

Jun 24, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1030(d)(4)(iv)(A)(2):Contaminated laundry was not placed and/or transported in bags or containers which were labeled or color-coded in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1030(g)(1)(i):  (a)On or about 19 December 2024, and at times prior thereto, Veterans Health Administration, Mann-Grandtsaff VAMC employees, EMS, Housekeeping, and Laundry Employees, were exposed to potentially infectious  materials when their employer failed to ensure that laundry bags and or containers were labeled or color coded in accordance with 29 CFR  1910.1030(g).  (a)Laundry Employees Working in the Soiled sorting Area (b) EMS Employees/ Housekeeping (Surgical, Primary Care, Specialty Clinics, Dental, Etc..)

Issued

Jun 4, 2025

Abate by

Jun 24, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(f)(1)(ii):The employer did not provide training to each employee who is required by this section to use PPE on knowing what PPE is necessary:  (a)On or about 19 December 2024, and at times prior thereto, Veterans Health Administration, Mann-Grandtsaff VAMC employees working in the laundry building (Solid sorting area) were exposed to bloodborne pathogens and infectious diseases when their employer failed to ensure that they were trained to know what PPE was necessary.

Issued

Jun 4, 2025

Abate by

Jun 24, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1030(d)(4)(iv)(B):The employer did not ensure that employees who had contact with contaminated laundry wore protective gloves and other appropriate personal protective equipment:  (a)On or about 19 December 2024, and at times prior thereto, Veterans Health Administration, Mann-Grandtsaff VAMC employees working in the laundry building  were exposed to bloodborne pathogens and infectious diseases when their employer failed to ensure that  necessary PPE was used while sorting soiled laundry.

Issued

Jun 4, 2025

Abate by

Jun 24, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 0685152324402536

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(g)(8):  The employer did not maintain in the workplace copies of the required safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical, and did not ensure that they were readily accessible during each work  shift to employees when they were in their work area(s)  On or about 18 December, 2024, and at times prior thereto, Mann-Grandstaff VAMC,  Maintenance employees working in M&O shop performing welding operations were exposed to hazardous chemicals including but not limited to AWS-E6011 - Welding Rods, S-308.16N - Stainless Steel Electrodes, and AWS A5.12 Welding Rods which may cause allergic skin reactions, cancer, and damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure. Employees were exposed to these hazards because the employer did not make safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical readily accessible during each work shift.

Issued

Jun 4, 2025

Abate by

Jun 24, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 0685152324402536

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(e)(1)(i):The employer did not compile a list of the hazardous chemicals known to be present using a product identifier that was referenced on the appropriate safety data sheet.  On or about 18 December, 2024, and at times prior thereto,  Mann-Grandstaff VAMC,  M&O  employees performing welding operations were exposed to hazardous chemicals including but not limited to AWS-E6011 - Welding Rods, S-308.16N - Stainless Steel Electrodes, and AWS A5.12 Welding Rods which may cause allergic skin reactions, Cancer, and damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure. Employees were exposed to these hazards when their employer failed to ensure that welding rods in their work area were listed on the chemical inventory.

Issued

Jun 4, 2025

Abate by

Jun 24, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.37(b)(2):Each exit was not clearly visible and marked by a sign reading "Exit":   On or About 18 December, 2024 and at times prior thereto, Mann-Grandstaff VAMC were exposed to respiratory illness, burns, contusions, and abrasions when their employer failed to ensure that Emergency Exits in their work area were clearly marked.  (b)Building 16-Warehouse Building, Designated exit between the roll up and pharmacy storage area- below the mezzanine  (d) Building 6- Personnel Main entrance/exit  The Dept. of Veterans Affairs - VHA was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.37(b)(2), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1650384, citation number 2, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on May 23rd, 2023, with respect to a workplace located at 1601 East Fourth Plain Blvd., Building 2,, VANCOUVER,WA,98661.  The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.37(b)(2), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1607692, citation no. 1, item no. 1, and was affirmed as a final order on September 1st, 2022 with respect to a workplace at Walla Walla, WA.

Issued

Jun 4, 2025

Abate by

Jun 24, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(3): The employer did not ensure that walking-working surfaces are maintained free of hazards such as sharp or protruding objects, loose boards, corrosion, leaks, spills, snow, and ice.  (a)On or about 18 December, 2024, and at times prior thereto employees at the Mann-Grandtsaff, VAMC  were exposed occupational injuries such as to abrasions  and contusions when the employer failed to ensure that walking-working surfaces were maintained free of hazards in/on floor of room C005A.

Issued

Jun 4, 2025

Abate by

Jun 24, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

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 18 December, 2024, and at times prior thereto, Mann-Grandstaff VAMC, employees were exposed to  occupational injuries such as to abrasions  and contusions  when their employer failed ensure that  rolling stock  in the welding area of building 3/16 was not stored in walkways.

Issued

Jun 4, 2025

Abate by

Sep 30, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(d)(2):The employer did not verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated, the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed, the date(s) of the hazard assessment, and, which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment:  (a)On or about 19 December 2024, and at times prior thereto, Veterans Health Administration, Mann-Grandtsaff VAMC employees  were exposed to Occupational injuries and illnesses when their employer failed to certify the facilities hazard assessments.

Issued

Jun 4, 2025

Abate by

Jun 24, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(c)(2):The employer did not inform exposed employees, by posting danger signs or by any other equally effective means, of the existence and location of and the danger posed by the permit spaces:  On or about 18 December 2024, and at times prior thereto, Veterans Health Administration-Mann-Grandstaff VAMC maintenance employees were exposed to lacerations and contusions when the employer failed to inform exposed employees of the existence and location of  permit required confined spaces and their associated hazards by posting appropriate signage.    (a)Dock leveler- Laundry Building	 (b) North sand South Loading Dock Levers-

Issued

Jun 4, 2025

Abate by

Jul 1, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.151(b):First aid supplies approved by a consulting physician were not readily available:  On or about 18 December, 2024, and at times prior thereto, Mann-Grandstaff VAMC Warehouse employees were exposed to occupational injury and illness when their employer failed to ensure that first aid supplies were readily available to employees.   (b) Isopropyl Wipes Expired 7-2021 (a) Lidocaine Expired 10/2018