PARIS — Oxford County has been cited by Maine’s Bureau of Labor Standards for several workplace safety violations, and faces $2,800 in fines.
The four violations involve training and equipment to deal with blood-borne pathogens for employees who face occupational exposure, such as sheriff’s deputies. One violation involved an officer who was not equipped with appropriate safety equipment when transporting a person with a “flesh eating disease.”
The county received the letter on Sept. 14 and has until Oct. 5 to appeal the violation or discuss the penalty, which cites four violations, each carrying a $400 fine.
County Administrator Scott Cole said his office is requesting a discussion on the penalty. “We’re hoping that the discussion will lead to a waiving of the fees in exchange for prompt and efficient addressing of the issues,” he said Thursday.
After a July inspection by a Bureau of Labor Standards agent, the county was cited for not having up-to-date training on exposure to blood-borne pathogens.
A second violation cites the county for not providing appropriate protective equipment in a case of occupational exposure. According to the report, on June 28 a deputy had to transport a person with many known infections, including Hepatitis A, B and C, MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and a “flesh eating disease.”
The deputy’s vehicle had gloves and biohazard bags, but lacked gowns, face shields, eye protection, masks, head and shoe covering and other protective equipment, according to the BLS.
A third violation points out that according to training requirements, training on occupational exposure must be interactive and allow employees to ask questions. The employees received an online training program that doesn’t allow them to ask questions.
The fourth violation cites previous violations where the county failed in its general duty to ensure employees’ safety.
“We don’t think they’re egregious citations,” Cole said. “Our policies and procedures are a little bit out of sync with what the regulations require.”
The county has 15 business days from receipt of the letter to reply to the bureau.
treaves@sunjournal.com
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