Regular readers of this blog may be aware that jobs in the healthcare sector are some of the most dangerous occupations, in Western Pennsylvania as well as throughout the nation. This is in large part due to the sometimes combative patients workers in this field interact with.

Recently, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration conducted an investigation at the Armstrong County Memorial Hospital. OSHA investigations may be commenced for a variety of reasons including, as was the case here, complaints. Depending on what is uncovered in an investigation, it is possible the employer will be assessed fines.

The investigation was prompted by a complaint that the safety of the hospital workers in the behavioral health unit was in jeopardy due to the chance that patients at the facility might assault them. The investigation uncovered two safety violations—one characterized as “serious” and another “other-than-serious.” The serious violation was due to the fact that the hospital did not have programs and procedures in place that would protect employees from violent patients. The second, lesser violation was the facility’s failure to report an injury suffered by a hospital worker in an OSHA log.

The designations assigned to each violation are important as there are different fines associated with each. In total, the hospital could be fined $8,000.

The hospital does not agree with OSHA’s assessment. It claims that it already has safety policy and procedures in place designed to prevent worker injuries. It reportedly plans on meeting with OSHA representatives to discuss the matter. As is the case in all OSHA investigations, it has 15 business days to do so.

Source: TRIB LIVE, “ACMH may face $8,000 in fines,” Tim Karan, July 15, 2013