Hospital fined after ES workers injured by improperly discarded needles

At least three custodial employees over the past three years have been stuck by needles while emptying the hospital’s collection box


Kaiser Foundation Hospitals in Vallejo, Calif., was cited by Cal/OSHA for safety violations after environmental services workers after stabbed by discarded needles on multiple occasions, according to an article on the Healthcare Finance News website.

The hospital was fined $149,900 and has since put safeguards in place.

At least three custodial employees have been stuck by needles while emptying the hospital's collection box for biomedical waste.

The box was reportedly prone to overflowing, preventing the lid from closing properly.

 

Read the article.

 

 



December 23, 2015


Topic Area: Safety


Recent Posts

Cleanliness in Hospitals: Clinical Priority and Community Perception

EVS managers and communities value cleanliness for complementary reasons: managers for safety and compliance, communities for trust and comfort.


Dana-Farber Receives $50M Gift for Planned Cancer Hospital

A $50 million grant from the Yawkey Foundation will support construction of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s planned 450,000-square-foot cancer hospital.


Clarinda Regional Health Center Reports Data Security Incident

On or around December 15, 2025, Clarinda learned that certain data within its network may have been accessed without authorization.


Gaps in Nurses' Environmental Cleaning Knowledge Grow Amid Rising EVS Pressures

Environmental cleaning is crucial in preventing HAIs, but when the responsibility falls to those outside of EVS teams, problems arise. 


Ground Broken on the Southern Nevada Forensic Facility

Construction on the new secure forensic psychiatric hospital is expected to be completed in 2029.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.