Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: TB

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to the hazard of being infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) through contact with air containing TB bacilli from residents who were or may be infected. From 9/18/99 to 10/10/99 a resident with undiagnosed tuberculosis was at the site (a long term health care facility). After the resident was positively diagnosed all employees were administered post-exposure tuberculin skin testing to identify conversions. Approximately 44 employees (48of the workforce) had not received a pre-exposure tuberculin skin test within the last year. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to ensure that all employees receive a tuberculin skin test annually in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Guidelines for Prevention and Transmission of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis in Health Care Facilities, 1994, MMWR October 26, 1994 Vol. 43, No. RR-13. Abatement Note: Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Sample Abatement-Certification Letter").