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				<p style="text-align:center; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:CG Times; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:CG Times; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">UNITED STATES OF AMERICA</span></p>
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				<p style="text-align:center; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:CG Times; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:CG Times; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION</span></p>
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							<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">SECRETARY OF LABOR</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
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							<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> Complainant,</span></p>
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							<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> v. </span></p>
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							<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">BROWER DENTAL HEALTH, PC</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
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							<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> Respondent.</span></p>
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					<span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">OSHRC DOCKET NO. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">16-0193</span></p>
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				<p style="margin-left:48px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Timothy S. Williams</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, Esq.,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Office of the Solicitor, U.S. Department of Labor,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Denver, Colorado</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
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				<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>For Complainant</span></p>
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				<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Josh S. Brower, DDS, appearing<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">pro se</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, Brower Dental Health, P.C., Sioux Falls, South Dakota</span></p>
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				<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>For Respondent</span></p>
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				<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Before: Administrative Law Judge Patrick B. Augustine</span></p>
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				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:center; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;">DECISION AND ORDER</span></p>
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				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">I.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Procedural History</span></p>
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				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">This proceeding is before the Occupational Safety</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and Health Review Commission (“the Commission”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">) pursuant to Section 10(c) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, 29 U.S.C. §</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">651<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">et seq</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the Act</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">On May 18, 2015, the Bismarck Area O</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ffice received an anonymous complaint<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">about</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>potential<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">employee<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">exposure to blood</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">-</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">borne pathogens at</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a Vermillion dental office</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>located at 11 Court Street, Vermillion, South Dakota. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">46–48</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex. C-1). Compliance Safety and Health Officer (CSHO) Wanlipa Quade contacted the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">individual who<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">made<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">anonymous<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">complaint to gather information and conducted additional research about the employer.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref1" href="#ftn1">1</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Tr. 48–50). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">On May 19</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 2015</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, Complainant sent a letter to Dr.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Josh Brower at</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Smiles for Siou</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">x</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">and, 11 Court Street, Vermillion, South Dakota</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. The letter stated<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that the Bismarck Area Office received a</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">n anonymous</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>complaint</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">requested the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>employer<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">investigate the alleged hazard and provide a written response<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">detailing</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">its</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>investigation. (Ex. C-4). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">On May 20, 2015, Dr. Brower responded to the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">letter describing the anonymous complaint<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">via email</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">which<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">recounted his conversation</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>with an OSHA representative and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">detailed</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the manner in which he had addressed the hazard identified in the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">anonymous<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">complaint.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref2" href="#ftn2">2</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">51–52</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex. C-4).</span></p>
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				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">After reviewing the information provided by Dr. Brower, Complainant determined an inspection was necessary to ensure the conditions identified in the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">anonymous<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">complaint were remedied. (Tr. 52). Complainant assigned CSHO Casey Bedingfield to conduct an inspection of the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">dental<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">office located at 11 Court Street</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Vermillion</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, South Dakota</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (Tr. 53</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 157</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). As a result of</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the inspection,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Complainant<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">issued a Citation and Notification of Penalty</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(“Citation”)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Smiles for Siouxland</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, which</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>alleg</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ed</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">one serious</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>violation</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">of the Act</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">and proposed</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>a penalty of</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>$</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">1,200</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.00. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The Citation was issued on<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">November 20, 2015, and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">mailed certified mail, return receipt requested</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to 11 Court Street</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Vermillion</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, South Dakota</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (Ex. C-5).<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Even though Dr. Brower responded to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">letter describing the anonymous complaint, which was</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>sent to the Vermillion office</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>where the inspection took place</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, the Citation</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>which was mailed to the same address as the letter descri</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">b</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ing the anonymous complaint</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>was returned to the Bismarck Area Office as “Unclaimed” on January 11, 2016.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref3" href="#ftn3">3</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Ex. C-6). Upon receiving the unclaimed Citation, CSHO Bedingfield called Respondent and was notified that the proper mailing address was P.O Box 356</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Sioux Falls</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, South Dakota</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (Ex. C-9). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Complainant re-sent the Citation v</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ia certified</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>mail</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">also by<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">electronic mail</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Ex. C-9). On February 2, 2016, Complainant received Respondent’s<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">N</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">otice of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">C</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">ontest</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">During the course of discovery,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent informed Complainant that he</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>had cited the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">wrong</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>business name and that the correct entity was Brower Dental Health, PC. On June 14, 2016, the Court received an<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Unopposed Motion to Amend the Citation to Name the Correct Legal Entity</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, which was granted on June 16, 2016.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Trial in this matter commenced on<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">September 8, 2016</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Sioux Falls, South Dakota</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Three</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>witnesses testified</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">: </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(1</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">) Assistant</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Area Director, Scott Overson; (2) CSHO Casey Bedingfield; and (3) Dr. Josh Brower. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Both</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>parties filed<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">post-trial<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">briefs.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref4" href="#ftn4">4</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Based on what follows, the Court finds Respondent violated the Act</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">II.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Stipulations</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The parties</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>entered into stipulations<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(“Joint Stipulations”) </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">prior to the beginning of trial. Th</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e Joint</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">S</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">tipulations were introduced into the record as Joint Exhibit No. 1 (hereinafter “Ex. J-1”). In lieu of reproducing them in their entirety, the Court shall make references to the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Joint S</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">tipulations<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">as necessary</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">III.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Jurisdiction<span>
					</span></span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Pursuant to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the Joint</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">S</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">tipulations, t</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he Court has jurisdiction over this proceeding pursuant to § 10(c) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, 29 U.S.C. § 659(c)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Ex. J-1</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>at ¶ 1</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Joint S</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">tipulations<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">also state</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent is engaged in a business affecting interstate commerce</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">and</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is an employer within the meaning of the Act</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Ex. J-1</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>at<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">¶¶</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>5–6</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>also</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">29 U.S.C. § 652(c).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">IV.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Factual Background</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">On June 2, 2015</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, Complainant sent CSHO Bedingfield to 11 Court Street</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, Vermillion</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, South Dakota in response to an anonymous complaint that Respondent’s employees were exposed to blood</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">-</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">borne pathogens in violation of the Act. (Ex. C-</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">2</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">CSHO Bedingfield<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">determined<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">there was insufficient information to support</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the issuance of</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>a citation</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>on the basis of the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">anonymous complaint</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Ex. C-19).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">During the inspection, CSHO Bedingfield</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>determined, however,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent did not have a written Exposure Control Plan<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(“ECP”)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">in violation of 29 C.F.R. 1910.1030(c)(1)(i). (Ex. C-19).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">When<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">CSHO Bedingfield<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">arrived at the Vermillion office, the receptionist told<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">him</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Dr. Brower was at the Sioux Falls</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, South Dakota</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>office and that he was only in Vermillion on certain days of the week. (Tr. 158). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">CSHO Bedingfield</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">called Dr. Brower, informed him OSHA was at the Vermillion office, and proceeded to conduct an opening conference. (Tr. 159; Ex. C-19). CSHO Bedingfield testified that he spoke to Dr. Brower<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">on the telephone<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">as he walked through the office space with some of Dr. Brower’s employees. (Tr. 159). After walking through the office while on the phone with Dr. Brower, CSHO Bedingfield<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">informed Dr. Brower that<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he needed to conduct employee interviews and would follow up after he was finished.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(Tr. 159).<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>At trial, Dr. Brower<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">testified that</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>CSHO Bedingfield was mistaken and that he was at the Vermillion office during CSHO Bedingfield’s inspection.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The evidence suggests otherwise. First, CSHO Bedingfield not only testified that he conducted part of the inspection over the phone with Dr. Brower, he also documented his telephone call with Dr. Brower in his conference notes. (Tr. C-19). Second, Dr. Brower was inconsistent in his presentation of the facts—</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">during his questioning of CSHO Bedingfield</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>he suggest</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ed</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>he would not have had time to participate in a phone call with CSHO Bedingfield because he was in surgery,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">only to later argue</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>he could have closed up shop in Sioux Falls</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, South Dakota</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and driven to the Vermillion</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, South Dakota</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>office for the inspection. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">182</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">256</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Third</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">f Dr. Brower was present for the inspection as he alleged</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>then this case would have been easily<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">resolved</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. If Dr. Brower was present for the inspection</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>he could have readily produced the ECP</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>CSHO Bedingfield</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>requested<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">during the inspection</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">and it is likely this case could never have proceeded along the course that it took. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Finally, and perhaps most unbelievable, Dr. Brower<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">suggested</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>his office received advanced notice of the inspection</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref5" href="#ftn5">5</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>which explains why he was present for the inspection. (Tr. 228). Both CSHO Bedingfield and AAD Overson testified they have never provided advance notice of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nspection</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref6" href="#ftn6">6</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and doing so could potentially subject them to criminal penalties for providing suc</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">h information. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">257</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 260). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">There is no evidence to support the allegation of Dr. Brower that he was provided advanced notice of the inspection.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Based on these facts, t</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he Court finds that Dr. Brower was not present during CSHO Bedingfield’s inspection.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">During his<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">employee<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">interviews, CSHO Bedingfield asked<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">employees<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">whether the office had an ECP, to which the employees responded they were not sure what he was looking for or that<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">such<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a plan existed at all.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref7" href="#ftn7">7</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Tr. 160). He probed deeper, asking<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">employees</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>questions that would reveal the existence of such a plan, such as whether they had</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>a protocol</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to address exposure incidents</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref8" href="#ftn8">8</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Tr. 160–61). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Finally, he asked<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">if</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the office had any program binders and whether he<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">could</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>look through them to see if an ECP might be included. (Tr. 161).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The employees gave CSHO Bedingfield a copy of the employee manual</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, which provided a brief summary of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">an ECP.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The employee manual<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">indicated that a separate ECP was on file and accessible to employees. (Tr. 162). Still, the employees were unable to locate the ECP. (Tr. 162). CSHO Bedingfield then called Dr. Brower, who redirected the conversation towards a former employee and the original<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">anonymous complaint</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (Tr. 163). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Dr. Brower was unable to explain why a copy<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">of the ECP<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">was unavailable. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">165–66</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Ultimately, after asking<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Dr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Brower and his employees<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">multiple times for the ECP, CSHO Bedingfield determined Respondent did not have<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">an ECP</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">166</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Based on this information, Complainant issued<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Citation</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">After Complainant issued the Citation—and Respondent eventually received it—Area Director Eric Brooks made an additional request for Respondent’s ECP. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">63–64</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). In response, Peggy Brower, Dr. Brower’s wife, sent AD Brooks a copy of Respondent’s HIPPA policy and employee manual. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">60</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex. C-12, C-13). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">This confirmed CSHO Bedingfield’s initial conclusion that Respondent did not have an ECP, because Respondent’s employees could not find nor identify<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">one</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. On March 15, 2016, approximately one month a</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">fter AD Brooks made his request—and nearly nine months after CSHO Bedingfield’s first request—</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Dr. Brower sent Complainant a copy of an ECP. (</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Tr. 79;<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Ex. C-15, C-16). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">While there appeared to be consensus that the late-provided ECP was compliant, Complainant determined the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">late-</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">produced ECP<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">was generated after the Citation was issued. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">68</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).</span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">V.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Discussion</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Before determining whether the standard was applicable and violated, the Court must first address Respondent’s argument that the Citation is barred by the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">six</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">-</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">month statute of limitations<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">because</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">it did not receive the Citation until after the six months permitted by the Act. A finding by the Court that the Citation was not issued within the prescribed<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">six</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">-</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">month statute of limitations would effectively bar this action and the analysis as to whether the standard was applicable or violated would be moot. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Based on the following discu</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ssion, however,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the Court finds that Complainant issued the Citation within the time allowed by Section 9(c) of the Act. Accordingly,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent’s statute of limitations defense is rejected.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "> </p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">a.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Statute of Limitations</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Section 9(c) of the Act states, “No citation may be issued under this section after the expiration of six months following the occurrence of any violation.” 29 U.S.C. § 658(c). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">On the face of it, Complainant complied with section 9(c)—the inspection occurred on June<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">2</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 2015, and the citation was issued by the Bismarck Area Office on November 20, 2015. (Ex.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C-5</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). Respondent claims, however, the Citation, which was addressed to Smiles for Siouxland, 11 Court Street, Vermillion, South Dakota, should be dismissed because it was not received until January</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>2016.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref9" href="#ftn9">9</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> Respondent’s argument is rejected for<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the following</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>reasons.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>First, the failure of “proper” service in this case is<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">entirely attributable to Respondent.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">On<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">May 18, 2015</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Complainant received a</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">n</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">anonymous<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">complaint that identified the office<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">located<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">at 11 Court Street</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Vermillion</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, South Dakota</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>as the location where the alleged ha</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">zards could be found.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">A</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">fter some preliminary research, CSHO<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Quade</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>discovered that the Vermillion dental health office located at 11 Court Street</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Vermillion</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, South<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Dakota was</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>associated with a website entitled</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">www.smilesforsiouxland.com</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (Ex. C-</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">3</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). The name “Smiles for Siouxland” is also prominently</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>displayed</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>at the top, right-hand corner of the webpage</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and is underscored by the phrase “Accepting New Patients”. (Ex. C-3). Based on this information, CSHO Quade sent</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Respondent</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>a letter on May 19, 2015,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">which notified him of the anonymous complaint. The letter was addressed<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to Dr. Josh Brower at Smiles for Siouxland, 11 Court Street, Vermillion, S</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">outh<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">D</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">akota</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (Ex. C-4). The very next day, Dr. Brower responded to Complainant via email outlining his office’s policy on sharps handling, which was the target of the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">anonymous<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">complaint. (Ex. C-4 at 3). Dr. Brower’s signature line in th</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">at<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">email also included the web address,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">www.smilesforsiouxland.com</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). There is nothing in the email to indicate that Dr. Brower attempted to correct any misunderstanding about the name of the dental practice.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>After determining Dr. Brower’s response to the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">anonymous<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">complaint was insufficient, Complainant sent CSHO Bedingfield to 11 Court Street</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Vermillion</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, South Dakota</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to perform an inspection. Approximately five months later, Complainant sent the Citation</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>certified mail</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>return receipt requested,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Smiles for Siouxland,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>located at 11 Court Street</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Vermillion</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, South Dakota</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (Ex. C-5).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>The Citation, after three attempted deliveries at 11 Court Street, was returned to the Bismarck Area Office as “Unclaimed”.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Dr. Brower testified that he owned<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>practice at<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">office<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">located<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">on 11 Court Street both when the inspection occurred and when the Citation was sent. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">215–16</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Notwithstanding the foregoing, Dr. Brower insists that service was improper because the Citation was made out to Smiles for Siouxland</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref10" href="#ftn10">10</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and because he was only<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">at</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the Vermillion</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, South Dakota office</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>a couple of times per month and, therefore, presumably would not be able to accept the Citation delivered by certified mail. The Court disagrees. According to the Commission, “[T]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he test to be applied in determining whether service is proper is whether the service is reasonably calculated to provide an employer with knowledge of the citation and notification of proposed penalty and an opportunity to determine whether to abate or contest.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">B.J. Hughes</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">, Inc.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 7 BNA OSHC 1471 (No. 76-2165, 1979). The Citation was addressed to Smiles for Siouxland, a name which Respondent’s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>website boasts in large font at the top of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">its<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">webpage</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and which</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Dr. Brower</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">includes as part of his email signature</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Approximately six months before the Citation was sent,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Dr. Brower</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">received and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">responded to</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>a complaint letter sent to</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the same address that the Citation was sent</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">—</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">11 Court Street</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Vermillion</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>South Dakota.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">In both instances, the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">letter detailing the anonymous complaint<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the actual Citation<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">w</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ere</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>addressed to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Dr. Brower</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and included the name “Smiles for Siouxland” as the second line of the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">address. Finally, the inspection</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>that precipitated the Citation</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>took place at 11 Court Street</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Vermillion</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, South Dakota</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Based on the information available to Complainant, the Court finds service at the dental office located at 11 Court Street,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Vermillion, South Dakota</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>addressed to a trade name prominently</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>displayed</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>on the company website, was reasonably calculated to provide Respondent with knowledge of the citation and penalty and provided it with an opportunity to decide whether to abate or contest.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Second,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">with respect to the question of when a citation is “issued” under Section 9(c), the Court is convinced by the rationale of ALJ<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Heather<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Joys in her order denying a motion to dismiss in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Excel Contractors, Inc.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, Docket No. 16-0633 (July 13, 2016)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Relying on the Act’s use of both “issue” and “receipt”, Judge Joys held, “</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Had the Congress intended a citation be considered issued upon receipt only, there would have been no need to draw the distinction between timeframes calculated based on issuance and timeframes calculated based on receipt. In short, to equate issuance with receipt would render the use of the two terms superfluous.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Excel</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, Docket No. 16-0633, slip op. at 2. Further, Judge Joys cited other ALJ orders wherein the term “issue” was held to mean when the Citation was “signed, dated, and mailed” to Respondent. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See, e.g., Francis</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>J. Palo, Inc.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, Docket No. 13-2150</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(April 24, 2014) (finding citation issued on date it was signed and mailed to Respondent). Accordingly, the Court finds the Citation in this case was issued on November 20, 2015, when it was dated, signed, and sent by certified mail to Respondent’s office at 11 Court Street</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Vermillion</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, South Dakota</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref11" href="#ftn11">11</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Based on the foregoing, the Court finds the Citation was properly and timely served in such a manner that Respondent was both given adequate notice of the Citation and an opportunity to respond.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>The Citation was not received by Respondent until after the six-month statute of limitation had run<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">because Respondent<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">either<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">chose not to accept or collect it</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>or</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>failed</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to have in place a sufficient business process for the receipt and pro</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">c</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">essing of incoming mail</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. The Citation was not returned as “Undeliverable”, which indicates the address is incorrect; rather, it was returned as “Unclaimed” after three attempts<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to deliver it</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to the same address where previous correspondence was received and replied to and where the inspection took place.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent’s argument that the Citation should be dismissed based on the statute of limitations is rejected.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">b.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Legal Standard</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">To establish a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">prima facie</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>violation of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">section 5(a)(2) of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the Act,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Complainant</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>must prove:<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(1) the standard applies to the cited condition; (2) the terms of the standard were violated; (3) one or more of the employees had access to the cited condition; and (4) the employer knew, or with the exercise of reasonable diligence could have known, of the violative condition. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Ormet Corp</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 14 BNA OSHC 2134 (No. 85-0531, 1991).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">c.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Citation 1, Item 1</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Complainant alleged a serious violation of the Act as follows:<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">29 CFR<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">1910.1030(c)(1)(i)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">:</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> The employer having employees with occupational exposure did not establish a written Exposure Control Plan designed to eliminate or minimize employee exposure:<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:72px; text-indent:-.635cm; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:justify; margin-left:72px; text-indent:-.635cm; margin-right:48px; widows:2; orphans:2; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; padding-right:20px;">(a)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">On or about June 2, 2015, for employees exposed to bloodborne pathogens and other potentially infectious materials while performing and assisting in dental procedures at the Smiles for SiouxLand practice located at 11 Court Street in Vermillion, South Dakota.</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The cited standard provides:<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Each employer having an employee(s) with occupational exposure as defined by paragraph (b) of this section shall establish a written Exposure Control Plan designed to eliminate or minimize employee exposure.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">29 C.F.R. § 19</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">10.1030(c)(1)(i).<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:156px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:156px; text-indent:-.635cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">i.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">The Standard Applies<span>
					</span></span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">According to the Scope and Application paragraph, the cited standard “applies to all occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials as defined by paragraph (b) of this section.” 29 C.F.R. § 1910.1030(c)(1)(i). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Occupational Exposure is defined as “reasonably anticipated skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that may result from the performance of an employee’s duties.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>§ 1910.1030(b). At trial, Dr. Brower admitted that his staff was exposed to blood-borne pathogens and saliva on a daily basis. (Tr. 222–23). Thus, the Court finds that the standard applies.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:156px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:156px; text-indent:-.635cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">ii.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">The Terms of the Standard Were Violated</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>The dispute in this case is quite simple: Did Respondent have an ECP<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">when the inspection took place in May 2015?</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent eventually produced an ECP</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>approximately<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nine</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>months after the inspection</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref12" href="#ftn12">12</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Complainant argues Respondent’s failure to produce an ECP after multiple requests over the course of nine months indicates the ECP Dr. Brower ultimately produced was created after the inspection. Thus, Complainant contends Respondent violated 29 C.F.R. 1910.1030(c)(1)(i).<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Respondent, on the other hand, contends: (1) the ECP it provided to Complainant in March 2016 was in existence at the time of the inspection</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and (</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">2</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">) none of Complainant’s representatives ever asked for the ECP.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Thus, resolution of this case<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">depends</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>on the Court’s<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">assessment of the witnesses’ credibility.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Based on the evidence presented at trial, the Court finds Complainant’s version of the facts more credible.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>“</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The Secretary has the burden of establishing a violation<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. . .</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>by a preponderance of the evidence.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Home Depot #6512</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 22<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">BNA OSHC</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>1863 (</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">No. 07-0359, 2009</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">A ‘preponderance of the evidence’ “</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is that quantum of evidence which is sufficient to convince the trier of fact that the facts asserted by a proponent are more probably true than false.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Astra Pharm. Prods., Inc.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 9 BNA OSHC 2126 at n.17 (No. 78-6247, 1981) (citing<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Burch v. Reading Co.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 240 F.2d 574 (3d Cir.)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">cert. denied</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 353 U.S. 965 (1957</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">;<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">see also<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Okland Constr. Co.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 3 BNA OSHC 2023</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">No. 3395, 1976) (concluding</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>judge properly entered findings that the Secretary established a violation based on inferences drawn by the judge from circumstantial evidence</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">During the course of his inspection, CSHO Bedingfield made multiple inquiries regarding the existence of an ECP. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">None of the employees he interviewed were able to find, identify, or even understand what CSHO Bedingfield was seeking. (Tr. 160–62). Eventually the employees gave him a copy of the employee manual. Although the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">employee<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">manual contained a reference to a separate ECP and provisions related to exposure control</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref13" href="#ftn13">13</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>CSHO Bedingfield could not find a document or section within the manual that qualified as an ECP. The employees did not appear to understand the reference in the manual and, according to CSHO Bedingfield, expressed surprise that such a plan existed. (Tr. 162). After his interviews, CSHO Bedingfield testified that he called Dr. Brower and specifically asked for an ECP. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Dr. Brower<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">deflected</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>questions<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">regarding the ECP and instead discussed</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>problems he had with a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">former</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>employee</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and continued to direct CSHO Bedingfield to the manual, which CSHO Bedingfield had already determined was insufficient. (Tr. 163). </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The lack of understanding illustrated by Respondent’s employees was on display again when AD Brooks contacted Respondent and requested a copy of the ECP</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>roughly<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">seven</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>months after the initial inspection</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (Tr. 64–65</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex. C-12, C-13</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). In response to AD Brooks’ request for a copy of the ECP, Peggy Brower forwarded a copy of Respondent’s HIPAA policy and employee manual.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref14" href="#ftn14">14</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">64–65; Ex. C-</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">12, C-13</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">HIPAA does not address exposure control. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Eventually, after a phone call from AAD Overson, Respondent provided Complainant with a copy of an ECP on March 15, 2016. (Tr. 68; Ex. C-16). </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">As noted above, the Court determined<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Dr. Brower’s testimony<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">was not credible insofar as he claimed to be</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>present at the Vermillion office at the time of the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">inspection</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. CSHO Bedingfield’s testimony</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, on the other hand, was not only</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>supported by his<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">field<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">notes and</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>subsequent</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>report, but his conclusion<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Respondent’</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s employees were</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>not</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>aware<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">of the existence of an ECP<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">was</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>buttressed by Mrs. Brower’s inability to provide an ECP upon request. If an ECP existed at the time of the inspection, even if not titled as such, Respondent’s employees would have been able, at the very least, to respond to CSHO Bedingfield’s questions about its substance.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> According to CSHO Bedingfield, however, they were not able to answer such questions. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">When coupled with the fact that Mrs. Brower was similarly unable to identify or provide an ECP in response to requests made<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">almost</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>nine months after the inspection took place—and four months after the Citation was issued—such facts permit the reasonable inference that the ECP did not exist at the time of either request. Likewise, even if the Court<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">were to assume that Dr. Brower was present during the inspection (it does not), such a presumption would not inure to Dr. Brower’s benefit. If he was present and available, the Court has a hard time understanding why there would be a misunderstanding about the nature of CSHO Bedingfield’s request and why the disputed ECP was not provided to him.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">T</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he Court<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">has difficulty<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">accepting</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Respondent’s argument that<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">OSHA would issue a citation<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">alleging a missing document and then never request a copy of that document</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> The weight of the evidence<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">shows</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Complainant</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">’s representatives</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">asked</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">for<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the ECP on multiple occasions from multiple people</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and received nothing</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>but a HIPPA plan</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>or an employee manual</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. The ECP Respondent produced did not come until nine months after the inspection and four months after the Citation was issued. The<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ECP</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, though claimed by Dr. Brower to have been generated contemporaneously with the employee manual, was in a different font and format. (</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Compare</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>C-</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">16</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>with<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">R</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">-</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">26</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Dr. Brower’s test</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">imony</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>was<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">inconsistent and, in some cases, improbable. He suggested that he would not have had time to discuss matters with CSHO Bedingfield on the phone because he would have been busy with patients at the other office, but then argues that it was possible for him to drop everything and attend the inspection</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>in person.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">H</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e claimed that he received advance notice of the inspection, notwithstanding the fact that Overson and Bedingfield both testified that they would be subject to criminal sanctions had they provided s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">uch information. Finally, h</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e attempted to argue that the bullet points in the employee manual were sufficient for the purposes of the standard</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, further undermining his position that a separate document actually existed during the relevant period of time.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Based on the foregoing, the Court finds that Respondent did not have an ECP at the time of the inspection. Accordingly, the terms of the standard were violated.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "> </p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:156px; text-indent:-.635cm; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:justify; margin-left:156.467px; text-indent:-.635cm; widows:2; orphans:2; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">iii.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Respondent Knew or, with the Exercise of Reasonable Diligence, Could Have Known of the Violative Condition</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“To establish knowledge, Complainant must prove that the employer knew or, with the exercise of reasonable diligence, should have known of the conditions constituting the violation.” </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Jacobs Field Svcs. N.A.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 2015 WL 1022393 at * 3 (No. 10-2659, 2015) (citing<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Contour Erection & Sliding Sys., Inc.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 22 BNA OSHC 1072, 1073 (No. 06-0792, 2007)). To determine reasonable diligence, the Court considers several factors, including “an employer’s obligation to inspect the work area, anticipate hazards, take measures to prevent<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">violations</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>from occurring, adequately supervise employees, and implement adequate work rules and training programs.” </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(citations omitted);<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">see also N&N Contractors, Inc.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 18 BNA OSHC 2121 (No. 96-0606, 2000). </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The employee manual, which Dr. Brower created, specifically references a separate ECP document and contains bullet point generalizations of basic ECP requirements. (Ex.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">R-26</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). Those references</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">—coupled with Dr. Brower’s testimony that he was aware that the content of the regulation had not changed since he purportedly first developed an ECP—</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">illustrate Respondent knew an ECP</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>was required.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See, e.g., Amer. Recycling & Mfg. Co., Inc.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 25 BNA OSHC 1709 (No. 13-1101<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">et. al.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 2015) (ALJ Phillips) (holding safety manual outlining general responsibilities and requirements of LOTO program establishes actual knowledge that LOTO program was required).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">As the owner and manager of Respondent, it was Dr. Brower’s obligation to develop and maintain an ECP</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, which means he was the only person</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>in a position to know whether such a plan existed.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Because the Court found Respondent did not have an ECP at the time of the inspection, it follows that Dr. Brower was<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">actually<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">aware of that fact.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See A.P O’Horo</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Co., Inc.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 14 BNA OSHC 2004 (No. 85-369, 1991) (holding company president’s knowledge of his own omissions is imputable to company). Thus, the Court finds that Respondent knew of the violation.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span> </p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:156px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:156px; text-indent:-.635cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">iv.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Respondent’s Employees Were Exposed to the Hazard</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The Commission</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">does not require definitive proof of actual exposure to the hazard; rather, the question is whether employees have access to the hazard. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Gilles & Cotting, Inc.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 3 BNA OSHC 2002 (No. 504, 1976).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Access to a hazardous condition exists “if there is a ‘reasonable predictability’ that employees ‘will be, are, or have been in’ the ‘zone of danger.’” </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Kokosing</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 17 BNA OSHC 1869 (citing<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Capform, Inc.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 16 BNA OSHC 2040 (No. 91-1613, 1994)).<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">As indicated above,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the cited standard “applies to all occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials as defined by paragraph (b) of this section.” 29 C.F.R. § 1910.1030(c)(1)(i).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Both CSHO Bedingfield and Dr. Brower testified that Respondent’s employees were exposed to blood-borne pathogens on a daily basis</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Tr. 71, 222–23</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>An ECP is designed to prevent or otherwise minimize exposure through identification of hazards, implementation of engineering and work practice controls, and procedures for addressing exposure incidents. 29 C.F.R. § 1910.1030(c).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Without an ECP</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>that properly outlines the aforementioned requirements</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, Respondent’s employees<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">were limited in their ability to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">protect themselves against<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">exposure to blood-borne pathogens</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See, e.g., Thoroughgood, Inc. d/b/a Azalea Court</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 18 BNA OSHC 1811 (No. 97-0023, 1999) (ALJ Spies) (lack of ECP limited employees’ ability to protect against blood-borne pathogens). Although<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent’s employees are<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">potentially<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">exposed to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">blood-borne pathogens by virtue of their occupation</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, the Court finds<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">they</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>were unnecessarily exposed to hazards that should have been addressed in a properly developed ECP</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The employee manual, which contains references to an independent ECP and discusses general requirements of such a plan, is not an adequate substitute for those protections. Accordingly, the Court finds that Respondent’s employees were exposed to the hazards posed by exposure to blood-borne pathogens.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:156px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:156px; text-indent:-.635cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">v.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">The Violation was<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Serious</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">A violation is classified as serious under the Act if “there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result.” 29 U.S.C. § 666(k). Commission precedent requires a finding that “a serious injury is the likely result if an accident does occur.” </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Mosser Constr., Inc.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 23 BNA OSHC 1044, 1046 (No. 08-0631, 2010) (citation omitted);<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">see</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Omaha Paper Stock Co. v. Sec’y of Labor</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 304 F.3d 779, 784 (8th Cir. 2002). Complainant does not need to show there was a substantial probability that an accident would occur; he need only show that if an accident did occur, serious physical harm could result. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See Trinity Industries, Inc.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 504 F.3d 397, 401 (3d Cir. 2007).<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>According to CSHO Bedingfield, occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens can result in any number of infectious diseases, including hepatitis, tuberculosis, and HIV. (Tr. 175). Those diseases, amongst others, could result in time off of work, hospitalization, or, in extreme cases, death. (Tr. 176). Without a proper ECP, which should include procedures for</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>preventing</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>exposure incidents</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and what to do if an exposure occurs, there was a substantial probability that Respondent’s employees could suffer from a serious</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and potentially lifelong</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>illness if an<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">exposure incident</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>were to occur.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See Thoroughgood, Inc.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">18 BNA OSHC 1811</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(finding “[e]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">xposure to blood can result in contracti</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ng grave diseases of HIV or HBV” and affirming violation as serious). </span></p>
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			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Respondent claims the violation should not be characterized as serious because Complainant took almost<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">five months to issue a citation. H</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">contends this delay</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>belies any suggestion that employees were exposed to serious injury or death.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The Court disagrees. First, CSHO Bedingfield testified he spoke with Dr. Brower about the need for an ECP during his closing conference, at which time Dr. Brower inquired as to whether he needed a consultant to aid in developing an ECP. (Tr. 164–65). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The Citation memorialized the concerns</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>already</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">expressed by CSHO Bedingfield during his closing conference, which should have placed Dr. Brower on notice that he needed to develop a plan. The fact that it took five months to issue th</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Citation simply reflects the logistical difficulties of coordinating multiple inspections, reviewing the proposed citations resulting therefrom, and deciding whether to issue citations. This process was made no less difficult by Dr. Brower’s<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">evasive responses to requests for information both during and after the inspection. </span></p>
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			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Second,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Complainant is only obliged to serve a citation within six months of the violation</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">29 U.S.C. § 658(c). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">There is no case law<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">or standard to suggest that the length of time it takes to issue a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">citation is indicative of w</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">hether the violation is serious; in fact, the Secretary cannot seek to penalize an employer for its failure to correct a condition</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>until<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">after</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the entry of a final order by the Commission.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">29 U.S.C. § 659(b).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>The</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>operative question in the assessment of a serious violation</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>is simple: if an accident were to occur, is there a substantial probability that the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ensuing<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">injury will be serious?<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>In this case, the answer to that question is “Yes”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See Charles W. Mason DDS & Assocs., PLLC</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 25 BNA OSHC 1792 (No. 10-2313, 2015) (</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">affirming as serious a violation that exposed employees to blood-borne pathogens).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Al</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">though<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Complainant determined<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">probability of an accident<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">actually<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">occurring in this situation was low</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, such a determination is only relevant to the appropriate penalty</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">73);<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">see also<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Section VI,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">infra</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span></p>
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			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Based on the foregoing, the Court finds that Complainant established a serious violation of 29 C.F.R. § 1910.1030(c)(1)(i). Accordingly, Citation 1, Item 1 shall be AFFIRMED.</span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">VI.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Conclusion</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>T</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he entirety of Dr. Browe</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">r's case hinges on a series of “what ifs”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>that are</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">n</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">o</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">t supported by the facts.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">First</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>he suggests that he did</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>not</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>receive a certified letter sent to the same address as a complaint letter he responded to within 24 hours of receipt.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">But, Respondent claims, what if<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Complainant had just put the proper company name on the envelope?</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref15" href="#ftn15">15</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Second,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Dr. Brower</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>claims that he was present for the inspection, which is contrary to the sworn testimony of CSHO and his inspection narrative.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">In response, Dr. Brower</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>argues he could have driven there after the CSHO called him; notwithstanding his claim that he<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">would have been unable to take</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>time out of his surgical schedule to discuss the inspection over the phone.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Failing there, he suggests</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>OSHA scheduled the inspection with him in advance</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. This certainly would explain his attendance,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>even though providing such notice<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to Dr. Brower<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">carries criminal penalties</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>for the CSHO involved</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Third, he claims no one ever asked him for the ECP</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">—</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">not the CSHO, not the AD. His proof: Complainant cannot show documentation of those requests. While documenting those requests would corroborate the testimony of CSHO<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Bedingfield<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">and AAD</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Overson</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, the absence of documentation does</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>not</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, of itself, mean that<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the requests</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>never happened. Respondent could have provided the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ECP</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>when he<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">received</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">itation<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">penalizing him<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">for not having it, but he waited an additional<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">two</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>months to provide it.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">In his brief, Respondent<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">references</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Occam’s Razor, which states, “</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">pluralitas non est ponenda sine necessitate</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">” or</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>“plurality should not be posited without necessity.”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Occam’s Razor</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Encyclopaedia Britannica</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Online,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">https://www.britannica.com/topic/Occams-razor</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(last updated June 4, 2015).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>This is more commonly understood to mean that</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the simplest<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">explanation is preferred over more complex explanations of the same phenomenon</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent propose</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s a bunch of implausible “what ifs” in a piecemeal</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>attempt to chip away<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">at<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">what is otherwise a strong and simple case</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>wherein t</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he Secretary’</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s burden of proof is whether<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“it is more likely than not”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>that Respondent<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">did not have an ECP</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Based on the evidence, the simplest,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">most<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">reasonable explanation for<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent’s continued failure to produce the ECP</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>is th</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">at it did not</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>exist.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "> </p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">VII.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Penalty</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">In determining the appropriate penalty for affirmed violations,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ection 17(j) of the Act requires the Commission to give due consideration to four criteria:<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(1) the size of the employer</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">’</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s business, (2) the gravity of the violation, (3) the good faith of the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>employer, and (4) the employer’</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s prior history of violations. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">29 U.S.C. § 666(j)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. Gravity is the primary consideration and is determined by the number of employees exposed, the duration of the exposure, the precautions taken against injury, and the likelihood of an actual injury. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">J.A. Jones Constr. Co.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 15 BNA OSHC 2201, 2214 (No. 87-2059, 1993).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">It is well established that the Commission and its judges conduct<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">de novo</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>penalty determinations and have full discretion to assess penalties based on the facts of each case and the applicable statutory criteria. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">E.g.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Allied Structural Steel Co.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 2 BNA OSHC 1457, 1458 (No. 1681, 1975);<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Valdak Corp</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">., 17 BNA OSHC 1135, 1138 (No. 93-0239, 1995),<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">aff’d</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>73 F.3d 1466 (8</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">th</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Cir. 1995). </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent is a relatively small dental practice, which employs approximately<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">twelve</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>people</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>at two locations in South Dakota</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Ex. C-</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">19</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. Respondent has not been inspected or cited previously</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Dr. Brower</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>testified he has not had an exposure incident during his<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">twenty</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>years of practice.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">As previously stated, Complainant determined the probability of an accident occurring was low and, similarly, that the severity of any potential injury was also low. (Tr. 72–73). Complainant’s severity assessment was based, in part, on Complainant’s determination that illnesses stemming from an exposure incident are typically treatable, as compared to more severe occupational injuries, such as amputations and falls from heights. (</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). As for probability, Complainant determined that the likelihood of actual contamination<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">in Respondent’s dental office<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">was lower than the potential that exists in</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>a hospital, where the presence of infectious disease is arguably higher.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Complainant did not provide Respondent a discount in penalty for<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">good faith because it appeared that Respondent’s attempts at compliance, if any, were negligible.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> Based on this assessment, Complainant assessed a penalty of $1,200.00.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>The Court generally agrees with Complainant’s assessment. Although exposure to blood-borne pathogens presents the potential for very serious health hazards, the likelihood of that coming to fruition in a dental office was fairly low</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; however, given the potentially grave consequences of exposure to blood-borne pathogens, the Court finds that the violation is of medium gravity</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. Respondent does not have a documented history of violations or complaints, and, with the exception of the missing policy,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">was not cited for any other violations related to exposure to blood-borne pathogens, including the basis for the original complaint. Given Respondent’s small size, the fairly low likelihood of an accident occurring, and the lack of any complaint or citation history, the Court finds that a smaller penalty is appropriate. Accordingly, the Court shall assess a penalty of $600.00.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:center; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;">ORDER</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>The foregoing Decision constitutes the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law in accordance with Rule 52(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is ORDERED that:</span></p>
			</div>
			<p style="margin-left:48px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; text-indent:-.635cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; padding-right:20px;">1.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Citation 1, Item 1</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>is AFFIRMED, and a penalty of<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">$</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">600</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.00</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>is ASSESSED.</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">SO ORDERED.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Lucida Calligraphy; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Lucida Calligraphy; font-size:12pt; ">/s/ Patrick B. Augustine<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
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						<div>
							<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "> </p>
						</div>
						<div>
							<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Date:<span>
									</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
									</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>December 22, 2016</span></p>
						</div>
						<div>
							<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Denver, Colorado</span></p>
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					<td class=" TableGrid_band1Horz" style="vertical-align:top;border-left:none, 0, inherit; border-right:none, 0, inherit; border-top:solid .018cm #000000; border-bottom:none, 0, inherit; width:8.446cm;">
						<div>
							<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Patrick B. Augustine</span></p>
						</div>
						<div>
							<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Judge, OSHRC</span></p>
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			<div>
				<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span> </p>
			</div>
			<hr/>"
      <div>
				<p>
					<a name="ftn-1" href="#ftnref-1"></a> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p>
					<a name="ftn0" href="#ftnref0"></a> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn1" href="#ftnref1"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">1 </span></a>. CSHO Quade conducted an internet search for Vermillion Dental Health, which brought up the Smiles for Siouxland website. (Tr. 49). The website showed that there were two locations—Vermillion and Sioux Falls—covered by the Smiles for Siouxland<span>
					</span>name. (Ex. C-3). <span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn2" href="#ftnref2"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">2 </span></a>. The Court<span>
					</span>would note<span><span></span>
					</span>that Dr. Brower’s email signature<span>
					</span>block<span>
					</span>includes the website<span>
					</span>www.smilesforsiouxland.com.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn3" href="#ftnref3"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">3 </span></a>. The envelope indicates that the Post Office attempted delivery of the Citation three separate times, during which time the package was available for pick-up at the local Post Office. (Tr. 57; Ex. C-6). <span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn4" href="#ftnref4"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">4 </span></a><span><span></span>
					</span>Issues not briefed in the post trial briefs, even though raised at trial, are deemed abandoned.<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">See Georgia-Pacific Corp.,<span>
						</span></span>15 BNA OSCH 1127, 1130 (No. 89-2713, 1991).</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn5" href="#ftnref5"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">5 </span></a>. If this allegation were true, then Dr. Brower would have had notice in order to be present during the inspection which the Court finds he was not present. Also, advanced notice would have provided him of sufficient opportunity to correct any deficiencies in his health and safety practices,<span><span></span>
					</span>which did not occur. </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn6" href="#ftnref6"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">6 </span></a>. 29 U.S.C. § 666(f)<span>
					</span>is the statute which subjects anyone providing notice of advanced notice of an inspection, except in very narrow circumstances, to criminal sanctions.<span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn7" href="#ftnref7"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">7 </span></a>. If an ECP was in existence and the employees were trained on its contents as required by the regulation, employees would have been able to respond appropriately to CSHO Bedingfield’s inquiries and know what he was looking for. Not knowing whether an ECP existed or not even knowing certain information that would have been in the ECP leads the Court to conclude Respondent did not have an ECP and the employees were not adequately trained on recognizing an ECP and its requirements.<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Okland Construction Co.,<span>
						</span></span>3 BNA OSHC 2023, 2024 (No. 3395, 1976) (reasonable inferences can be drawn from circumstantial evidence). </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn8" href="#ftnref8"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">8 </span></a>. This is one of the required elements of an ECP.<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span>29 C.F.R. § 1910.1030(c)(1)(i).<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn9" href="#ftnref9"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">9 </span></a>. As noted above in Section<span>
					</span>I,<span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">supra</span>,<span><span></span>
					</span>Respondent received an electronic copy of the Citation in January,<span><span></span>
					</span>2016<span><span></span>
					</span>but did not<span>
					</span>“receive”<span><span></span>
					</span>the certified mail version of the Citation until February,<span><span></span>
					</span>2016.<span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn10" href="#ftnref10"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">10 </span></a>. The Court finds that<span>
					</span>Respondent waived any argument<span><span></span>
					</span>that Complainant cited the wrong legal entity when Respondent joined in an<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Unopposed Motion to Amend the Citation to Name the Correct Legal Entity</span>,<span><span></span>
					</span>which was granted by the Court on June 16, 2016.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn11" href="#ftnref11"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">11 </span></a>. With respect to Respondent’s argument that he was not in the office often enough to accept the mail, the Court finds that this is an insufficient excuse. “‘The Commission has consistently denied relief to employers whose procedures for handling documents were to blame for untimely filings’ of [Notices of Contest].”<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">NYNEX</span>, 18 BNA OSHC 1967 (No. 95-1671, 1999) (quoting<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">E.K. Constr. Co., Inc.</span>, 15 BNA OSHC 1165, 1166 (No. 90-2460, 1991). Respondent had employees at the 11 Court Street location capable of accepting mail and providing Dr. Brower with notice of its receipt. The fact that he was not always present in the Vermillion office does not provide shelter for his failure to claim mail delivered to the same building where the inspection took place.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>Because<span><span></span>
					</span>the address<span>
					</span>was<span><span></span>
					</span>the same<span>
					</span>for both the letter and the Citation,<span>
					</span>the Court could infer either: (1) Respondent did not have in place an adequate<span>
					</span>procedure to make sure mail is properly received and processed,<span>
					</span>or<span><span></span>
					</span>(2)<span><span></span>
					</span>if he did have<span>
					</span>such<span>
					</span>a procedure in place,<span><span></span>
					</span>Dr. Brower elected not to sign for the Citation after being provided three notices by the U. S. Postal Service that a certified letter was<span>
					</span>waiting to be picked up. Neither inference supports Respondent’s position regarding the statute of limitations.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn12" href="#ftnref12"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">12 </span></a>. CSHO Bedingfield<span><span></span>
					</span>testified that the ECP produced by Respondent would be compliant had it been timely produced. (Tr.<span>
					</span>168).<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn13" href="#ftnref13"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">13 </span></a>. At trial, Dr. Brower attempted to convince the Court that the provisions in the employee manual constituted an ECP even though the manual stated an ECP existed separate from the employee manual. First, the Court rejects the argument that the<span>
					</span>abbreviated<span><span></span>
					</span>provisions in the employee manual constitute an ECP. At trial, CSHO Bedingfield testified that while the employee manual made reference to employee exposure it did not meet the requirements of an ECP. For instance, CSHO Bedingfield testified that<span>
					</span>elements discussing hand washing, puncture-resistant PPE, and restrictions on eating, drinking, and using cosmetics in certain work areas,<span>
					</span>which are required elements of an ECP,<span><span></span>
					</span>are lacking from the provisions of the employee manual.<span>
					</span>(Tr. 170–72).<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>Also, should the Court accept Dr. Brower’s argument that the employee exposure provisions of the employee manual was the ECP, such an argument undermines and contradicts Dr. Brower’s position that the ECP produced nine months later was in existence at the time of the inspection. Such a position also conflicts with the clear and unambiguous provisions of the employee manual which states that there was a separate ECP available to employees for inspection. </p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn14" href="#ftnref14"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">14 </span></a>. As an employee, Peggy Brower, if trained on the ECP, would know what it was and would be able to forward it to OSHA. Ms. Brower not forwarding the ECP, which Dr. Brower insists was in existence at the time of the inspection, undermines that position that it was in existence at the time of the inspection. </p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; "> </p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText ">
					<a name="ftn15" href="#ftnref15"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">15 </span></a>. According to his testimony, he would not have accepted it. (Tr. 220)<span><span></span>
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