The Occupational Safety and Health Administration gave St. Francis Hospital of Evanston a $25,000 fine for its response to a July mercury spill.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration of Chicago Director Diane Turek and St. Francis Hospital spokeswoman Margot Shafer confirmed the citation.

Concerned workers came forward anonymously, and their tip was followed up by an Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigation, said Anders Lindall, a public affairs director for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31.

The hospital staff was not trained to handle cleaning up the mercury and the risks of the spill were not emphasized properly to workers, Lindall said.

This is the second fine in nine months for St. Francis Hospital, one of eight hospitals in the Resurrection Health Care system.

The previous offense from May 2006 was the result of inadequate training given to laundry personnel dealing with harmful substances. That fine was almost $10,000, according to a press release from the union.

“This is a troubling part of a pattern not only against St. Francis (but against) other Resurrection hospitals,” Lindall said.

The situation involves many members of the St. Francis staff, such as nurses and support staff, and affects the quality of care, Lindall said.

“Workers concerned for their health and the well-being and health of patients came forward to alert OSHA,” Lindall said.

The mercury could have been tracked throughout the hospital, contaminating people and clothing.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, mercury can have devastating health effects, marring fetal development or inducing tremors.

Communication senior Henry Webster said the incidents would make him think twice about going to St. Francis.

“St. Francis lost a lot of money that could go to bettering their hospital and helping people,” said Webster, an Evanston resident.

-Saba Berhie