The Washington state Department of Labor and Industries on Monday said it has fined a Motel 6 in Vancouver, Washington, $112,450 for exposing workers to used hypodermic needles.
The department it began an investigation of the property in August 2014 after receiving a complaint that workers routinely encountered needles while cleaning rooms. The department’s investigation found that there were five needle-stick injuries to workers at the motel in the last two years.
The motel was cited for four willful violations of the health standards that protect workers from biological hazards. Each of the willful violations carries a penalty of $27,500.
The motel had previously been inspected and cited for serious violations in 2011 and 2012.
Motel 6 is a unit of New York-based the Blackstone Group L.P.
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