OSHA Cites Lake Zurich Assisted Living Center with 17 Health, Safety Violations

Paradise Park, an assisted living center at 60 South Old Rand Rd., in Lake Zurich, was cited with 17 safety and health violations, due to an incident last November in which a nurse practitioner was allegedly hurt in a needle stick incident.

The facility faces $72,000 in fines according to a news release from the   U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Twelve serious violations included the facility’s neglect to test the source of the blood; offer the nurse practitioner a hepatitis B vaccination; and properly train employees on the hazards in their work environment. OSHA defines a serious violation occurring 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.

"Employers are responsible for knowing the health and safety hazards that apply to their facilities, and for taking necessary precautions by following OSHA standards and providing workers with the proper training," said Diane Turek, OSHA's Chicago North Area Office director in Des Plaines, in a news release. "For 40 years, OSHA has been committed to protecting workers, because no one should have to risk injury or death for a paycheck."

Paradise Park Assisted Living LLC  has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

According to Quad Cities Online, Paradise Park released a statement saying it would contest the violations and that it no longer operates the Lake Zurich assisted living facility.