NJ Rehab Facility Exposed Workers To COVID, Investigation Finds

TINTON FALLS, NJ — The U.S. Department of Labor alleges that a Tinton Falls-based rehab facility exposed workers to coronavirus this past March.

The facility is Seaside Guest Services, a residential rehab facility in Tinton Falls. Seaside Guest Services provides transitional housing for people in behavioral-health programs and those who have completed some level of addiction treatment.

They did not return multiple calls by Patch for comment.

Someone submitted a complaint about Seaside to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

OSHA investigated and said that while Seaside had written contingency plans to isolate residents who got coronavirus, and notify workers, neither of those actually happened. Also, OSHA said while the facility provided masks to its employees, it did not enforce their use. Seaside also failed to enforce social distancing despite posting signs in its four housing units.

In total, 11 employees and 28 residents at Seaside tested positive for coronavirus by late March.

Seaside is owned by AMA Health Holdings LLC. OSHA issued the holdings company two citations: For failing to develop and implement effective measures to mitigate the spread of the virus and not recording each work-related illness.

OSHA wants to fine them $10,923 in penalties.

OSHA just announced the allegations and fine on Wednesday of this week, and AMA Health Holdings has 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

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