An Analysis of OSHA Inspections Assessing Contaminant Exposures in General Medical and Surgical Hospitals

作者:Knight Jordan L*; Sleeth Darrah K; Larson Rodney R; Pahler Leon F
来源:Workplace Health & Safety, 2013, 61(4): 153-160.
DOI:10.3928/21650799-20130318-27

摘要

This study analyzed data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Chemical Exposure Health Database to assess contaminant exposures in general medical and surgical hospitals. Seventy-five inspections conducted in these hospitals from 2005 through 2009 were identified. Five categories of inspections were conducted, the three most common being complaint-based, planned, and referral-based inspections. Complaint-based inspections comprised the majority of inspections-55 (73%) of the 75 conducted. The overall violation rate for all inspection types was 68%. This finding was compared to the violation rates of planned inspections (100%), referral-based inspections (83%), and complaint-based inspections (62%). Asbestos was the hazardous substance most commonly sampled and cited by OSHA in hospitals, with 127 samples collected during 24 inspections; 31% of the total 75 inspections resulting in one or more violations were due to asbestos.

  • 出版日期2013-4