Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard:

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to Legionella bacteria and were at risk of developing Legionnaires' disease. (a) AAP St. Marys, St. Marys, Ohio: On or about July 21, 2013 water samples were collected and later analyzed. The samples indicated significant levels of Legionella pneumophila bacteria in the east cooling tower and the leak test wheel washer. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to follow: Cooling Technology Institute, Legionellosis Guideline: Best Practice for Control of Legionella July 2008 and/or ASHRAE Guideline 12-2000 Minimizing the Risk of Legionellosis Associated with Building Water Systems and (1) feed a source of halogen-based disinfectant (chlorine or bromine) continuously and maintain a free residual, (2) install high efficiency nesting type drift eliminators, and (3) locate cooling towers away from building air intakes in such a manner that cooling tower drift or splash-out is not fed into the building air supply system.