Hematology/Oncology Associates PC, a medical service provider in Newton, has been cited by the US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration for an alleged willful and an alleged serious violation of workplace safety standards after an OSHA inspection revealed that workers were being exposed to biohazards. Proposed penalties total $46,900.
Nothing particularly unusual about that, except perhaps teh scale of the fine and the timetable for payment. “The employer has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, meet informally with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.”
Wallop! No messing about, you have 15 days.
Will the UK be so bold with those NHS Trusts that fail to comply in a timely manner with the requirement to introduce safety needles in all parts of their operations. Will there be questions asked, and penalties given, for failing to devise and apply comprehensive protocols for the management of those who might suffer a sharps injury? I doubt it. There will be some puffing and blowing, but many excuses and little immediate action. That is the way of things.
And of course there is a down-side. The use of safety sharps requires practise. Some devices more so than others, but all require a period of familiarisation and until that is complete, even for the most experienced of user, the incidence of sharps injury often rises. Rushed introduction of a new device, in just 15 days, seems to be risking a spate of sharps injuries due to unfamiliarisation. This seems ripe for study; the results would be particularly informative but don’t expect those who are facing regulatory disapprobation to put their heads above the parapet as researchers.
Read more: Newton medical provider faces nearly $47,000 in proposed OSHA fines – Newton, Massachusetts – Newton TAB http://www.wickedlocal.com/newton/news/x1292890341/Newton-medical-provider-faces-nearly-47-000-in-proposed-OSHA-fines#ixzz2BziCwdFw