Avalon Gardens Hit with 11 Workplace Safety Violations

A Smithtown nursing facility has been cited for having  11 workplace health and safety issues that endanger its workers. 

U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational and Safety Health Administration has cited Avalon Gardens Rehabilitation & Health Care Center, at 7 Route 25A, for 11 serious violations of workplace safety and health standards carrying a $41,000 fine on Tuesday. 

"Our inspection identified hazards that can and should be quickly and effectively corrected,” said Anthony Ciuffo, OSHA’s Long Island area director. “The protection and well-being of those who take care of the ill and injured is dependent on their employer’s compliance at all times with proper and required safeguards.

OSHA inspected Avalon Gardens after its Long Island office received an anonymous complaint on April 18. 

"Complaints are typically made by an employee who is currently working for the facility," Ciuffo said. 

An inspection of the nursing facility shows it fails to use safer medical devices to reduce its employee's occupational exposure to possible bloodborne diseases, that can be transmitted from needlestick injuries, according to OSHA. It has suggest Avalon Gardens consider use of needleless medical devices or those with a safeguard to protect employees. 

Other serious violations include the facility's failure to provide eye protection for nurses, failure to properly store contaminated clothing and gloves, and not training its employees on its disposal, according to OSHA's report. 

The U.S. Department of Labor's inspection also found the rehabilitative facility had wet floors from drains being disconnected, unmarked exit doors, exit doors were obstructed, and didn't store compressed gas containers properly. 

"A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known," according to OSHA regulations. 

Avalon Gardens could not be immediately reached for comment or further information on these violations. The nursing facility has 15 days to comply with regulation, meet with OSHA's director or contest the violations. 

This is not the first time Avalon Gardens has been cited by OSHA for serious workplace health and safety violations.

According to OSHA's website, the Smithtown nursing facility was cited for 11 violations in March 10, where 5 violations were considered serious, and cited for 2 violations in 2007.