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

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees in that employees were exposed to: a) Transco Railway Products Inc.: Employees are exposed to a variety of illnesses, including but not limited to ornithosis, encephalitis, newcastle disease, toxoplasmosis, salmonella, and histoplasmosis when the employer did not ensure that the repair shops were adequately maintained in a clean and sanitary condition free from a build-up of bird feces. ABATEMENT NOTE: OSHA issued a Hazard Information Bulletin on Contracting Occupationally Related Psittacosis on August 8, 1994 which outlines procedures to be followed. Precautions to protect workers from contracting this disease through inhalation include at a minimum the following: 1.Providing respiratory protection suitable for the purpose intended (HEPA filter) and establishing a respirator program. 2.Assuring adequate ventilation in the work area. 3.Establishing a psittacosis training and prevention program which includes: A description of the signs and the symptoms associated with the psittacosis disease. Instructions on how to recognize psittacosis infected avian species; and Good housekeeping and work practices procedures. 4.Instructing workers to immediately report to the employer any indications that a bird may be infected. 5.Instructing workers to immediately report to the employer the development of any adverse signs and symptoms consistent with psittacosis. Abatement Note: Abatement certification is required for this item.