Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001A Hazard: BLOODBORNE

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 health care workers (incinerator operators) working in the area of the corridor of Scaife Hall and Presbyterian University Hospital were exposed to the hazard of being infected by HBV and/or HIV through possible direct contact with blood or other body fluids: a) Corridor of Scaife Hall and Presbyterian University Hospital: Incinerator operators who experienced occupational exposures to blood borne pathogens including, but not limited to, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were not provided a Hepatitis B vaccination free of charge. Feasible and useful abatement methods for reducing this hazard, among others, are: 1) Make available a Hepatitis B Vaccination to all incinerator operators; 2) Assure all medical evaluations and procedures are performed by or under the supervision of a licensed physician and that all laboratory tests are conducted by an accredited laboratory; and 3) Assure that all evaluations, procedures, vaccinations and booster dose(s) are provided to the employee at a reasonable time and place, and according to standard recommendations for medical practice.