New York Presbyterian-Columbia University Medical Center has been cited by the OSHA after an investigation revealed that workers were exposed to laundry contaminated with bodily fluids, blood and other infectious materials. The exposure occurred after the hospital replaced linen laundry bags, with plastic that tore open. The Manhattan hospital was cited with 13 willful, serious health standard violations. $201,000 in fines were proposed.
“These were needless and unacceptable deficiencies. New York Presbyterian Hospital must show that it has corrected these conditions and taken steps to prevent them from happening again. The health and well-being of its employees depend on it,” said Robert Kulick, OSHA’s regional administrator in New York.
For more information, read the news release here.