Nov 28, 2020
Two Hazlet Rehabilitation Centers Cited for COVID-19 Violations, One Fined More Than $22K
Photo Courtesy: ArnoldWalter.com
Two Hazlet rehabilitation and nursing home facilities have been written up for COVID-19 violations since the beginning of the pandemic, one being fined more than $22,000.
Hazlet nursing home Arnold Walter Nursing and Rehabilitation on South Laurel Avenue has been fined more than $22,000 due to COVID-19 violations.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) planned a surprise visit to the facility on Nov. 16, where officials uncovered five separate violations. Violations included:
- Employers who require their employees to wear respirators or safety masks must develop workplace-specific policies for selecting the type of masks that will be worn, training for employees about their proper usage, and procedures for cleaning, storing and maintaining the masks.
- Medical evaluations are required for employees who wear respirators to determine their ability to safely use them on the job.
- Employers must conduct fit tests for employees who wear tight-fitting facemasks.
- All work-related employee deaths must be reported to OSHA within eight hours.
- Employers must keep records of workplace-related fatalities, injuries or illnesses.
The Journal reached out to Arnold Walter Nursing and Rehabilitation but did not receive a response for comment.
According to OSHA.gov, a second Hazlet facility, Hazlet Garden Group LLC, a nursing facility which has now been renamed Anchor Care and Rehabilitation Center according to nursinghomedatabase.com, has been cited for COVID-19 related violations from a Nov. 2 visit.
From the start of the pandemic in March, OSHA has issued 204 citations nationwide, totaling $2.8 million.
