Archive for: OSHA - Citations & Fines

OSHA violations by healthcare facility type

By: David LaHoda November 5th, 2009 Email This Post Print This Post

Total OSHA fines were down across all types of healthcare facilities as of the end the federal government’s fiscal year 2009, according to OSHA Statistics and Data Web page. (www.osha.gov/oshstats/index.html, accessed October 5, 2009.)

Medical and dental practices and hospitals saw the greatest decreases, 30%-40%, with nursing care facilities and laboratories showing more modest decreases at 12%-14%.

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Medical Environment Update—OSHA horror stories highlight safety faux pas

By: Medical Environment Update October 13th, 2009 Email This Post Print This Post

Healthcare workers share their tales of extreme but true safety miscues that will make even a veteran safety officer cringe and how they converted these situations into training opportunities in the October issue of Medical Environment Update.

Here is an excerpt from that article and a look at what else is covered in October issue.

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Reviewing exit route compliance

By: Terry Jo Gile October 8th, 2009 Email This Post Print This Post

OSHA Standard 1910.37 addresses the requirements for exit routes. Fines can be assessed if the exit route is obstructed with materials or equipment, or if an exit route includes a door that can be locked.

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Medical Environment Update—Preparing your outpatient facility for a pandemic

By: Medical Environment Update September 3rd, 2009 Email This Post Print This Post

Hospitals may be the focus for a serious pandemic worries, but a mild virus could flood outpatient facilities, reports the September issue of Medical Environment Update.

Here is an excerpt from that article and a look at what else is covered in September issue.

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Yet another UCLA lab update

By: David LaHoda July 2nd, 2009 Email This Post Print This Post

The investigation concerning a UCLA laboratory fire that resulted in the death of staff research associate Sheharbano (Sheri) Sangji in December continues to unfold, drawing in occupational safety, laboratory, and even legal ties.

Last month UCLA paid more than $31,000 in fines levied against them by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) and then appealed the state regulator’s findings. The appeal was intended to show that UCLA admits no fault in connection with the findings, according to Kevin Reed, vice chancellor for legal affairs at UCLA.

However on Friday UCLA pulled a 180 and decided to withdraw its appeal, according to the Los Angeles Times. Reed told the Times on Monday that the appeal was not worth the “hue and cry” it had raised from family members and the union that represents Sangji.

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An interesting appeal process

By: Terry Jo Gile June 12th, 2009 Email This Post Print This Post

After making the required changes and paying more than $31,000 in fines levied against them by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA), UCLA has appealed state regulators’ findings regarding the fatal burning of a laboratory research assistant last year, according to the Los Angeles Times.

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Tragic UCLA lab fire is a safety reminder

By: Terry Jo Gile May 7th, 2009 Email This Post Print This Post

This past Monday state regulators fined UCLA more than $31,000 for three “serious” violations involving the fatal burning of a staff research assistant in December during a chemistry lab fire, according to the Los Angeles Times.

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Top-ten list of OSHA interpretation letters

By: David LaHoda April 22nd, 2009 Email This Post Print This Post

Another David whose last name also begins with an “L” has made a pretty good living with top-ten lists. So I’m giving you my top-ten list of OSHA interpretation letters to help resolve disputes about compliance with the bloodborne pathogens standard.

I find interpretation letters helpful in answering OSHA questions because they usually get at specific situations, whereas the standard is written too broadly to answer those “show-me-where-OSHA-says” challenges.

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Top 10 States for OSHA Physician Office Inspections

By: David LaHoda March 16th, 2009 Email This Post Print This Post

When it comes to states with the most OSHA inspections of offices and clinics of medical doctors, 10 states, seven with their own state-run enforcement agencies, accounted for 72% of all inspections, according to OSHA statistics for FY 2008, the most recent data available.

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Weekly Poll: OSHA inspections

By: OSHA Healthcare Advisor Poll February 23rd, 2009 Email This Post Print This Post

It’s a pretty simple question, but a legit concern for some places. Do you think your facility would get tagged during an OSHA inspection?


Quizzes by Quibblo.com

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