Circuit Affirms Lessened Penalties for Exposure to Blood Pathogens

NEW YORK - A federal appeals court has affirmed the findings of a federal review board that lowered penalties for a workplace exposure to bloodborne pathogens after concluding the employer's response did not meet the criteria for more serious action. Chao v. The Barbosa Group Inc., No. 07-1399-ag (2nd Cir.).

The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals issued a summary order on Oct. 21 in which it denied the U.S. Department of Labor's Petition for Review and affirmed a decision by the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission that The Barbosa Group's violation of the federal bloodborne pathogen standard was "serious," …