Safety

Hospital hit with $112,500 in fines for formaldehyde hazards

OSHA Healthcare Connection, July 4, 2006

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OSHA fined New York Hospital in Queens, NY, for allegedly failing to protect workers from formaldehyde exposures. The agency issued an announcement about the citation on June 27, more than six months after an employee complaint initiated the investigation.

"The hospital did not promptly monitor employees' exposure to formaldehyde after they reported signs, symptoms, or respiratory conditions consistent with exposure and did not ensure that all employees who worked with formaldehyde were provided proper training," said the announcement.

The alleged overexposures affected pathology assistants and oral pathology residents working with specimens stored in containers filled with formalin.

The hospital has 15 days to request an informal conference with OSHA or contest the citations.



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