Federal Manager's Daily Report

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued a notice of safety violations against the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center in Virginia, the third such notice this year against a VA facility.

OSHA investigated in response to a complaint alleging inadequate protections for employees exposed to workplace violence hazards while providing patient care. It found violations involving employees exposed to workplace violence and physical assault, and for failing to train employees on the prevention and management of workplace violence.

It also found violations for failure to properly record workplace illnesses and injuries–such as needlestick injuries and cuts from sharp objects that were contaminated–citing inadequate training of supervisors and employees.

The center has been inspected by OSHA six times since 1992, with four resulting in notices; over the last five years, 16 inspections of VA facilities resulted in notices of recordkeeping deficiencies, three of which were classified as repeat, OSHA said.

“The safety hazards identified at this facility demonstrate a need for a renewed commitment by the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide a safe workplace for the VA employees who care for our nation’s service members, veterans, their families and survivors,” said OSHA. “All employers, including federal employers, are responsible for evaluating and determining the extent to which employees may be exposed to physical assault or other forms of workplace violence and taking the appropriate actions to eliminate or minimize that exposure.”