National pediatric health care provider cited for failing to protect workers from physical, sexual assault
OSHA cited AndVenture Inc. for one willful violation after the company failed to protect its employees from the dangers of workplace violence. The Pennsylvania-based company, which does business as Epic Health, is one of the nation’s leading providers of home health and therapy services for chronically ill children. OSHA opened an investigation into the company following a complaint from a worker who was sexually assaulted by a home care client after the company had been warned by another employee of sexual assaults. OSHA inspectors found Epic Health exposed employees to the risks of physical assaults as they provided nursing care services to both clients and family members and had no system for reporting threats or incidents of violence. Total proposed penalties are $98,000. For more information, see the news release.
Illinois ambulance service fined more than $290K for failing to protect workers from risks of bloodborne pathogens
A safety and health complaint filed against emergency medical service provider Altamont Ambulance Service Inc. resulted in an OSHA inspection of the company’s Altamont, Ill., facility. Inspectors found workers were exposed to bloodborne pathogens and other hazards. Other violations included failing to: establish an exposure control plan for bloodborne pathogens and other infectious material; offer hepatitis B vaccination to workers; and train workers about chemical and bloodborne pathogen hazards and precautions. The company was cited with five willful, 16 serious and three other-than-serious violations and proposed $290,100 in penalties. For more information, read the news release.
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