Fine of Close to $300,000 Possible for Altamont Ambulance Service

Federal safety and health investigators are alleging Altamont Ambulance Service Inc. failed to follow specific guidelines to protect emergency healthcare workers from exposure to bloodborne pathogens and other hazards while providing patient care.

The US Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration Wednesday issued five willful, 16 serious and three other less-than-serious safety and health violations to Altamont Ambulance with proposed penalties of $290,100. 

OSHA Assistant Area Director Carl Armstrong works out of the agency's Fairfield Heights office. Armstrong said the agency opened inspections in January, after receiving a complaint alleging violations of OSHA's bloodborne pathogen exposure and various other health and safety standards. He said the agency met with the company, conducted an inspection, review documents and reviewed the facilities, and interviewed the employees.

The agency found the employer failed to:

--establish an exposure control plan for bloodborne pathogens and other potentially infectious material

--make Hepatitis B vaccination series available to employees

--train workers about chemical and bloodborne pathogen hazards and precautions

--develop an emergency response plan

--dispose of, clean or launder contaminated personal protection equipment

--train workers in operations level emergency response

--communicate decisions on the use of personal protective equipment to employees

--develop a respiratory protection program to protect against infectious diseases

--train workers about the use of hazardous chemicals in their work area

--conduct an exposure determination for bloodborne pathogens

--provide injury and illness logs to inspectors within four hours

--mark, keep clear and properly light emergency exits

--follow electrical safe work places. Investigators found opened breaker panel boxes, extension cords used as fixed wiring, and exposed light sockets

--train workers in the use of fire extinguishers

Altamont Ambulance has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings.

When contacted Friday morning, Altamont Ambulance Chief Operating Officer J.D. Welton released a statement that reads: "On July 6, Altamont Ambulance Service, Inc. received the results of an OSHA inspection. During the OSHA inspection Altamont Ambulance Service, Inc. cooperated fully and the inspection went smoothly. We take the safety of our employees seriously. We are looking forward to working with OSHA to resolve any issues identified. We have no further comment."