L.A. County-USC Medical Center fined for helicopter fumes
State health inspectors have fined Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center $560 for violating state workplace rules, a penalty assessed after investigators confirmed employee complaints that helicopter exhaust fumes were entering the hospital’s ventilation system from the rooftop landing pad.
The fine by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health -- which hospital officials are appealing -- stemmed from a January inspection of the $1.02-billion facility, which opened its doors in November.
Almost immediately after the hospital opened, helicopter fumes became an issue. Landings on the roof initially triggered fire alarms and caused fire protective doors to automatically close. Months later, hospital workers continued complaining of inhaling exhaust odors every time a helicopter landed.
By the time the Cal/OSHA fine was issued Feb. 19, County-USC officials had shut down the rooftop helicopter pad for nearly two weeks. Since the closure, which came after The Times inquired about chronic issues regarding the fumes, helicopters have been diverted to the hospital’s old, ground-based helipad, which requires ambulances to take patients to the emergency room.
Hospital officials said this week that they may be close to reopening the rooftop to helicopter landings.
In recent weeks, the hospital has replaced air filters they described as being improperly sealed. Hospital Chief Executive Pete Delgado said a March 10 test of the filters that included a helicopter landing on the roof went well. A second test was conducted last week using more sensitive equipment. The hospital expects those results to be ready next week, Delgado said.
Employees did not smell fumes during either of the tests, he said.
The affected vents circulate air through the hospital’s diagnostic and treatment building, which houses the 120,000-square-foot emergency department and 25 operating rooms.
Officials had anticipated needing to replace the filters once every year, but Delgado said Thursday that they will probably need to be replaced every six months.
Delgado said he did not have an estimate on the costs.
The issue of helicopter fumes in buildings was widespread enough to prompt a 2004 Federal Aviation Administration reminder.
“These issues should be resolved during facility design,” the recommendation said.
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