OSHA: Pa. health care facility exposed workers to bloodborne pathogen hazards
Penalties total $46,800
OSHA has cited Keystone Pain Institute with eight serious health violations involving bloodborne pathogen hazards at the company's Altoona facility. The February inspection by OSHA's Pittsburgh Area Office was prompted by a complaint and resulted in $46,800 in proposed penalties.
The serious violations include the company's failure to conduct a written hazard assessment; provide workers with the Hepatitis B vaccination series and training on bloodborne pathogens; provide a written cleaning schedule; utilize engineering controls for sharps (IV catheters); properly color code and construct regulated waste containers to prevent leakage; implement adequate procedures for handling of blood or other potentially infectious materials to minimize splashing; and include an exposure determination in the written exposure control plan.