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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 112227145 - La County Health Services -High Desert Hosp.
Inspection Information - Office: Van Nuys District Office
Site Address:
La County Health Services -High Desert Hosp.
44900 N.60th St.West
Lancaster, CA 93534
Mailing Address:
, , 00000
Union Status: Union
SIC:6324
NAICS: 0
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: LocalGovt
Safety/Health: Health
Close Conference: 12/28/1990
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 03/27/1991
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 361065261 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 4 | 1 | 1 | 6 | ||
| Current Violations | 4 | 1 | 5 | |||
| Initial Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Current Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001 | Other | 3203 A01 | 02/11/1991 | 03/08/1991 | $0 | $0 | $0 | A - Amendment | Citation has been deleted. | |
| 2. | 02001 | Serious | 5220 H01 A | 02/11/1991 | 02/19/1991 | $0 | $0 | $0 | - | ||
| 3. | 03001 | Serious | 5220 G01 A | 02/11/1991 | 12/28/1990 | $0 | $0 | $0 | - | ||
| 4. | 04001 | Serious | 5220 G01 D | 02/11/1991 | 02/19/1991 | $0 | $0 | $0 | - | ||
| 5. | 05001 | Serious | 5220 H02 | 02/11/1991 | 02/19/1991 | $0 | $0 | $0 | - | ||
| 6. | 06001 | Willful | 5220 G03 | 02/11/1991 | 02/19/1991 | $0 | $0 | $0 | - |
Investigation Summary
DURING THE INSTALLATION AND TESTING OF A NEW ETHYLENE OXIDE STERILIZER, SAFETY DEVICES MALFUNCTIONED AND ETHYLENE OXIDE WAS RELEASED INTO THE WORK AREA, SETTING OFF THE ETHYLENE OXIDE MONITOR. THE EMPLOYEES WERE EVACUATED FROM THE AREA. EMPLOYEE #1 RE-ENTERED THE AREA, IGNORING THE ALARM, TO TEST FOR LEAKS. EMPLOYEE #2 RESPONDED FOLLOWING EPA PROCEDURE EXCEPT HE DID NOT WEAR A RESPIRATOR AS HE HAD NOT BEEN TRAINED. WHILE EMPLOYEES #1 AND #2 WERE TESTING FOR LEAKS WITH THE STERILIZER PRESSURIZED, THE CHARGE VALVES REMAINED OPEN. STERILIZER PRESSURE EXCEEDED THE OVERPRESSURE RELIEF VALVE SETTING. AS A RESULT, ETHYLENE OXIDE WAS RELEASED INTO THE FACE OF EMPLOYEE #2.
Keywords: PPE, ETHYLENE OXIDE, WORK RULES, INHALATION, UNTRAINED, ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE, RESPIRATOR
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 112227145 | Non Hospitalized injury | Cancer | Mechanical engineering technicians | ||
| 2 | 112227145 | Non Hospitalized injury | Cancer | Health technologists and technicians, n.e.c. |