Veteran center cited sburg’s VA hospital was investigated after mold was f

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Report:Veteran center cited

sburg's VA hospital was investigated after mold was found.

By MICHAEL C. LEWIS / Journal Staff Writer

sburg Journal - sburg,WV*

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MARTINSBURG — Ongoing concerns surrounding the exposure of an

employee and a patient to mold in October 2006 at the Veterans'

Affairs Medical Center near sburg sparked an internal

investigation of the facility by the Department of Labor that led to

the hospital being cited in December for unsafe and unhealthful

working conditions.

An 11-page report released to The Journal under the West Virginia

Freedom of Information Act details the investigation of the

facility, at 510 Ave., and cites the hospital for violating

health and safety guidelines during the removal of a mold hazard

from a same-day surgery kitchenette on the second floor in the main

building.

Work performed in the kitchenette to remove the mold was not

completed in accordance with guidelines from the Veterans Health

Administration, states the report, which was compiled by a four-

member investigative team with the U.S. Department of Veterans

Affairs' Center for Engineering and Occupational Safety, and

submitted after their visit on Sept. 11 and 12, 2007.

As a result of mold removal mistakes, the Occupational Safety and

Health Administration, or OSHA, an agency within the Department of

Labor, issued a notice of unsafe or unhealthful working conditions

on Dec. 27, ordering the medical center to abate the conditions by

Jan. 24 or request an informal conference with the U.S. Department

of Labor's area office in ton.

Barb Corbin, a spokesperson for the hospital, declined to comment

last week.

" This (CEOSH) report is an internal review and remains open and

ongoing, " she said. " At this time, it would be inappropriate to

comment. "

On Friday, however, Corbin confirmed that the medical center had

reported compliance to OSHA regarding the violations.

" We sent certification to OHSA on Jan. 23 regarding compliance on

the two serious violations. Now, we'll just wait to hear from OHSA, "

she said.

At the time of the incident, staff from same-day surgery had been

complaining of upper respiratory symptoms, states the report, which

indicated that no written mold management policy was in effect.

According to the report, OSHA evaluated 31 employees for potential

health effects of mold exposure, including two employees who were

CWT workers, or patients who receive job assignments as part of

recovery.

" The same-day surgery remained open while all work (to remove the

mold) was being done. There were three patients who had procedures

done during that time. According to medical center staff, none

suffered adverse health effects, " the report says.

Since the mold was removed, the employee complaints have been

resolved except for one staff member, who has symptoms that resolve

when the employee is not at work, the report says. One of the CWT

workers who was also exposed to the mold has not been located. The

names of the CWT worker and the male employee have not been released.

The male employee who was exposed to mold, has a history of mild

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and for several weeks after

the exposure, experienced shortness of breath and joint pain, which

he attributed to his exposure to mold, according to the report.

A claim, filed by employee with the Office of Workers' Compensation,

was denied, but is now under appeal. The OWCP report states the

employee's claim was denied because medical evidence " did not

demonstrate that the workplace condition, exposure to mold, resulted

in his medical condition. "

Stanton, a spokesperson for U.S. Sen. D. Rockefeller,

who is a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, said the

senator " continues to be very concerned " about the OSHA violations.

" He was in immediate contact with the hospital to discuss the issue

when it first came to light, and continues to be in contact with

them today, " she said. " Hospital representatives have assured him

that they're fully cooperating with OSHA to be compliant with their

regulations. "

Rockefeller, Stanton said, is aware that the hospital recently

submitted its corrective action plan for OSHA's approval.

" Senator Rockefeller will continue working closely with the hospital

to ensure problems regarding employee health and safety are

resolved, " she said.

The report recommended that local policies regarding the control of

moisture and mold be developed.

— Staff writer C. can be reached at (304) 263-8931,

ext. 127, or at mlewis@...