After receiving a complaint about employees at a Pennsylvania health care facility being exposed to workplace violence, OSHA enforcement personnel found that hazard along with potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
An inspection of Foundations Behavior Health, operated by Universal Health Services of Doylestown, Inc., resulted in citations for four serious violations. The agency found that at its Doylestown facilities, the company failed to:
- Protect workers from the hazard of workplace violence such as physical assaults by patients (e.g., by ensuring workers used protective arm guards to protect against injuries from incidents of biting.)
- Conduct an annual review of its bloodborne pathogen program.
- Provide annual bloodborne pathogen training to registered nurses and mental health technicians.
"Hospitals and other healthcare settings pose significant safety and health risks to workers. OSHA standards prevent these employees from exposure to bloodborne pathogens and other common dangers,” said OSHA’s Jean Kulp. “Foundations Behavioral Health failed to provide a safe and healthful workplace, which is unacceptable.”
Proposed penalties: $36,701.
