Pubdate: Thu,  9 Aug 2001
Source: San Bernardino Sun (CA)
Copyright: 2001 MediaNews Group, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.mapinc.org/media/1417
Website: http://www.sbcsun.com/
Note: Letters of 200 words or less are preferred
Author: Joe Nelson

SHERIFF'S OFFICE LAX ON SAFETY, STATE SAYS

Sheriff's Department Is Fined More Than $60,000 For Alleged Safety
Violations During Deputy Raids On Drug Labs.

The Sheriff's Department exposed deputies to unsafe working conditions
during clandestine drug lab raids, according to a state agency that slapped
the department with more than $60,000 in citations on Wednesday.

Eight of the 23 violations listed in a 28-page report released by the
California Occupational Safety and Health Administration on Wednesday were
serious violations that exposed San Bernardino County sheriff's deputies to
physical harm or possible death, CalOSHA spokesman Dean Fryer said.

The six-month CalOSHA investigation came after several narcotics deputies
filed complaints against the Sheriff's Department alleging they all suffer
medical problems as a result of long-term chemical exposure from drug lab
raids, Fryer said.

The most serious Sheriff's Department violations, he said, centered on
deputies being supplied with improperly fitting gear worn during drug lab
raids, primarily respirators, and a failure to test for airborne
contaminants at drug lab scenes.

"We take this very seriously because the atmosphere within a confined space
can be very dangerous," Fryer said. "If ... (deputies) are in an area where
they have these chemicals that can be in the atmosphere, there's a level of
hazardous exposure there.

"There needs to be proper air testing, ventilation, protective equipment and
respirators."

A sheriff's spokeswoman, Lt. Melanie Kellner, said Wednesday she couldn't
comment on the citations specifically, saying each one will be reviewed and
a determination made as to whether or not to appeal.

The Sheriff's Department has 15 days to do so.

In the last three years, three claims have been reported associated with
respiratory problems believed to have been caused from drug lab exposure,
Kellner said.

"When you look at that statistic and compare it to the number of labs we
respond to, that's a pretty good track record," she said.

In 1998, sheriff's narcotics deputies raided 497 clandestine drug labs, In
1999, 706. In 2000, 480. And so far in 2001, deputies have taken down 212
labs, Kellner said.

The CalOSHA report lists the following alleged violations in which deputies
have been exposed to serious harm:

"Employer did not evaluate atmospheric environments, including air testing
for contaminants.

"Employer did not maintain an effective exposure control program to
eliminate or minimize employee exposure to blood-borne pathogens and other
potentially infectious materials during drug lab raids.

"Employer did not keep or maintain an injury log recording the number of
exposure incidents.

Other alleged infractions include a failure by the Sheriff's Department to
have its narcotics deputies fit-tested for respirators to ensure they fit
properly and a failure to routinely inspect respirators and record findings.

Also, the department allegedly failed to provide adequate training in the
use of respirators and didn't establish and maintain a written injury and
illness prevention program mandated by the state in July 1999, according to
the report.

Fryer would not disclose how many deputies filed complaints or the nature of
their ailments.

The San Bernardino County Safety Employees Association, the labor union
representing sheriff's deputies, has sought legal assistance in the matter,
union President Jim Erwin has said previously, and a possible class-action
lawsuit looms.

Erwin couldn't be reached for comment Wednesday.
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