OSHA Cites PA Pain Clinic for Violations Involving Bloodborne Pathogens

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited an Altoona, Pennsylvania, pain clinic with eight serious health violations involving bloodborne pathogen hazards, states an April 18, 2013, OSHA news release. Prompted by a complaint, OSHA's Pittsburgh Area Office conducted an inspection of the facility in February and issued $46,800 in proposed penalties for the violations discovered. The 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 (intravenous catheters), properly color-code and construct regulated waste containers to prevent leakage, implement adequate procedures for the handling of blood or other potentially infectious materials to minimize splashing, and include an exposure determination in the written exposure control plan.