Health & Fitness
Kaiser Fined Nearly $150K for Poor Upkeep of Needle Deposit Box
The investigation revealed that a needle deposit box was frequently overflowing, preventing the lid from closing properly.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include a statement from Kaiser Foundation Hospitals
Kaiser Foundation Hospitals in Vallejo was fined nearly $150,000 Monday for poor upkeep of needle collection boxes that led to at least three custodial employees being stuck with needles.
The state Division of Occupational Safety and Health handed down the $149,000 in fines after discovering the unhygienic practices while investigating a complaint in June, Cal/OSHA officials said.
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The investigation revealed that a needle deposit box, a metal box similar to a mailbox, was frequently overflowing, preventing the lid from closing properly.
Employees were instructed to clean the box using a broom and dustpan, but when that was ineffective, they had to reach into the box and remove spilled needles, according to Cal/OSHA.
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The conditions led to one employee being stuck in 2013 and two more this year. They were all given prophylactic medication to prevent infection.
Since the inspection, Kaiser has replaced the disposal box with two larger units and now requires they be monitored every 30 minutes, Cal/OSHA officials said.
“Cal/OSHA will always issue citations in cases where employers willfully disregard employee health and safety,” Cal/OSHA Chief Juliann Sum said in a statement. “Kaiser should have had safety measures in place before employees were injured.”
Kaiser said its hospital in Vallejo was already addressing the matter before the investigation.
“The safety of our employees is always our top priority,” the health provider said in a statement. ”We have since taken further action to protect our staff, including providing employees with additional training and replacing their protective gear.”
The $149,000 is a penalty for five different citations Cal/OSHA issued for violations of the bloodborne pathogens standard, Cal/OSHA officials said.
Kaiser said it is reviewing the citation to determine the next steps it will take, if any.
--Bay City News Service, photo via Pixabay
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