Archive for: OSHA - Citations & Fines
OSHA fines are down, but not for long
From HealthLeaders, Nov. 18, 2009
Total OSHA fines and inspections decreased across all types of healthcare facilities in FY 2009.
Medical and dental practices and hospitals saw the greatest decreases in fines, 30%-40% from the previous year, according to OSHA’s Statistics and Data Web page. Nursing care facilities and laboratories showed less dramatic decreases at 12%-14%.
Nursing facilities ($321,327) and hospital settings ($196,400) ranked first and second respectively in total fines by type of facility, accounting for nearly three-quarters of OSHA fines issued in healthcare. Next came medical ($52,214) and dental ($47,549) practices at approximately 7% each of total OSHA healthcare fines.
Even though this is the second straight year healthcare violations have seen a decline, the trend is not likely to continue. OSHA under President Obama has an increased budget, including 130 new inspectors, according to remarks made earlier this summer by acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Jordan Barab to the American Society of Safety Engineers. “The law says that employers are responsible for workplace safety and health, and there’s a new sheriff in town to enforce the law,” said Barab.
OSHA violations by healthcare facility type
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%.
Medical Environment Update—OSHA horror stories highlight safety faux pas
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.
Reviewing exit route compliance
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.
Medical Environment Update—Preparing your outpatient facility for a pandemic
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.
Yet another UCLA lab update
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.
An interesting appeal process
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.
Tragic UCLA lab fire is a safety reminder
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.
Top-ten list of OSHA interpretation letters
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.
Top 10 States for OSHA Physician Office Inspections
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.
