Page 59 - L:\GROUP\SDT\zip_disk\Book2.PDF
P. 59

workplaces where the CDC has identified workers as having a higher incidence of
                                   TB infection than the general  population, when the employees are not provided
                                   appropriate protection and who have exposure as defined below:

                                   1.     Exposure to the exhaled air of an individual with suspected or confirmed
                                          pulmonary TB disease, or

                                          Note:  A suspected case is one in which the facility has identified an
                                          individual as having symptoms consistent with TB.         The CDC has
                                          identified the symptoms to be:
                                          productive cough, coughing up blood, weight loss, loss of appetite,
                                          lethargy/weakness, night sweats, or fever.

                                   2.     Employee exposure without appropriate protection to a high hazard
                                          procedure performed on an individual with suspected or confirmed
                                          infectious TB disease and which has the potential to generate infectious
                                          airborne droplet nuclei.  Examples of high hazard procedures include
                                          aerosolized medication treatment, bronchoscopy, sputum induction,
                                          endotracheal intubation and suctioning procedures, emergency dental,
                                          endoscopic procedures, and autopsies conducted in hospitals.

                            d.     If a citation under 5(a)(1) is justified, the citation, after setting forth the SAVE for
                                   section 5(a)(1), shall state:

                                   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 exposed to the hazard of being infected with Mycobacterium
                                   tuberculosis  through unprotected contact with  [specify group such as patients,
                                   inmates, clients, etc.] who was/were infectious or suspected to be infectious with
                                   tuberculosis in that: [list deficiencies]


                                   Feasible and useful abatement methods for reducing this hazard, as recommended
                                   by the CDC, include, but are not limited to:  [list abatement methods].


                            e.     The following are examples of feasible and useful abatement methods, which must
                                   be implemented to abate the hazard.  Deficiencies found in any category can result
                                   in the continued existence of a serious hazard and may, therefore, allow citation
                                   under 5(a)(1).


                                   1.     Early Identification of Patient/Client.  The employer shall implement a
                                          protocol for the early identification of individuals with active TB.  See
                                          Appendix A pages 19 - 30.

                                   2.     Medical Surveillance:


                                          a.     Initial Exams.  The employer, in covered workplaces, shall offer TB
                                                 skin tests (at no cost to the employees) to all current potentially
                                                 exposed employees and to all new employees prior to exposure.  A
                                                 two-step baseline shall be used for new employees who have an



                                                               51
   54   55   56   57   58   59   60   61   62   63   64