Immunization Newsbriefs

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March 19, 2001

“INS Lax in Protecting Workers, OSHA Says; [Houston] Office Here

Cited Again Over TB Concern”

Houston Chronicle (www.chron.com) (03/17/01) P. A1

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has, for the second time in less than 12 months, cited the Houston office of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) for failing to properly protect its employees from diseases that could potentially be spread by immigrants, such as tuberculosis.  Specifically, OSHA said the INS employees who work with detainees were not given respirators or training to help them avoid contracting diseases.  A recent notice from OSHA stated that INS employees “were exposed to the hazard of being infected with tuberculosis or other airborne infectious agents through repeated prolonged indoor/closed space contact with individuals who may be infected with tuberculosis or other airborne infectious agents.” Included in the notice was a 23-count citation which noted that the INS had not provided all of its workers with sufficient training, timely hepatitis B vaccinations, or the proper equipment.  The INS has until May 1 to resolve the safety issues.

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