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 through unprotected contact with clients who were infectious or suspected to be infectious with tuberculosis in that: a. El Rincon did not implement a maintenance schedule for the ventilation controls at the Clinic, i.e., change procedures and schedule for replacing and inspecting HEPA filters used in the recirculating air system at the Clinic. b. El Rincon did not implement a maintenance schedule for the ultraviolet lights used in the Clinic, i.e., develop a procedure for their cleaning, inspection, and replacement. c. El Rincon did not screen clients for active tuberculosis during "intake" processing with counselors. Feasible and useful abatement methods for reducing this hazard, as recommended by the CDC, include, but are not limited to: (a) Develop and implement a protocol which includes criteria for change schedules and procedures for the maintenance of engineering controls, such as, the ventilation system HEPA filters and the ultraviolet lights to maintain "as-installed" effectiveness and shall include a recognized field test method, an acceptance criteria, frequencies and warning labelling of the duct work and the ultraviolet lights. (b) Develop a tuberculosis screening checklist for the Intake Coordinator to complete at the beginning of the initial interview that would require further action if there was an indication of active tuberculosis. Abatement documentation only is required for this item in accordance with the requirement of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).