Comprehend cited following health complaint

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Hutcherson, health program manager for OSHA, said there is no particular standard regarding exposure to mold since people react differently to it.

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Hutcherson said other issues besides mold can account for symptoms, such as reaction to a certain perfume.

Comprehend cited following health complaint

Asbestos survey to be completed on facility

By MISTY MAYNARD, Staff Writer

Published: Tuesday, December 29, 2009 http://www.maysville-online.com/articles/2009/12/29/local_news/doc4b3998d590a33227782085.txt

Acting on a complaint from an employee, the Kentucky Labor Cabinet Occupational Safety and Health Program inspected Comprehend, Inc. recently and issued a citation of compliance to the Maysville facility.The citation is for a "non-serious violation," said Draper, director of the Division of Compliance for OSHA. The citation states the type of violation as "other" then specifies that owners of the building must determine the presence, location and quantity of asbestos in the building.Draper said the citation was issued because Comprehend staff could not prove an asbestos survey had ever been done on the building, which was built in the early 1960s. Comprehend has until Jan. 20 to address the issue and there is no proposed penalty for the violation.Dr. Pamela Vaught, executive director of Comprehend, said she will be speaking with representatives from the Kentucky Labor Cabinet Jan. 12 during a scheduled phone call."We're working with the Department of Labor on the issue," Vaught said.Vaught said Comprehend is checking to see if there is documentation that an asbestos survey has been completed. If no documentation can be found, Comprehend will make arrangements to have the survey completed."We're doing exactly what they're asking us to do," Vaught said.Vaught recently received the information on the citation, which was issued Dec. 22, and said she was not at liberty to answer further questions.Draper confirmed an employee of Comprehend filed a complaint that led to an inspector visiting the site to determine if the facility was in compliance with the Kentucky Occupational Safety and Health Statute.Draper said the name of the employee is confidential. However, she said the complaint included concerns regarding black mold, indoor air quality, carpet not being replaced, sewage backing up, rats and numerous illnesses reported.Draper said it is difficult to prove cause and effect when it comes to illnesses as a result of overexposure to a contaminant. Hutcherson, health program manager for OSHA, said there is no particular standard regarding exposure to mold since people react differently to it. Also, measuring indoor air quality can be difficult. Many OSHA standards for indoor air quality apply to factories, Hutcherson said.Hutcherson said other issues besides mold can account for symptoms, such as reaction to a certain perfume.The inspector did not find any issues with mold or air quality, Hutcherson said.Also, no issues were reported with sewage backing up and Hutcherson said no rats were found.The citation issued does not mean asbestos is present or that any present must be removed, Hutcherson said. The citation only requires a survey to determine where asbestos might be located as well as the quantity present and the condition it is in.Hutcherson said if asbestos is located, those who might disturb it must be informed so they can be cautious when interacting with it."As long as you keep it in good order ... it's perfectly fine to serve its function," Hutcherson said. "Once it starts deteriorating, that's when you have to get it removed."Contact Misty Maynard at misty.maynard@... or call , ext. 272.For more area news, visit www.maysville-online.com.

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