Hazardous

Materials

Safety Guidelines:

Use PPE (Personal Protective Equipment – gloves, gown, mask, etc.)

Wash your hands:

Before and after treating patients

After handling any items that may be contaminated

After removing PPE

After using the restroom

After blowing nose

Before or after eating or drinking

Report all exposure incidents to your supervisor

immediately

All incidents (real or suspected) need to be reported within 8 hours.

All exposure to blood & body fluids need to be reported within 2 hours.

Know all emergency procedures

Always follow infection control procedures when:

Cleaning and disinfecting; rooms, floors, equipment, etc.

Handling, storing, and transporting lab samples, laundry, etc.

Cleaning up spills

Properly dispose of Regulated Medical Waste

Sharps, needles, etc. are to be placed in the specially designed Sharps containers.

Regulated waste must be contained in two leak proof red plastic bags.

All bags should be red in color

ü Bags shall be sealed by twisting open end and goose necking with waterproof tape so that no liquid can leak

ü All bags must be labeled with the name of the hospital, room or area number, the date, and the “regulated medical waste” symbol

Store chemicals in designated areas only

Ensure adequate ventilation when working with chemicals

Never mix chemicals

Use only approved disinfectants, absorbents & neutralizing chemicals

Hazardous Materials

If mishandled they can cause: fires, injuries, poisonings, infections, and long-term exposure may increase cancer risks.

Employer’s Responsibilities for Hazardous Materials

In accordance with the OSHA Hazard Communication

(Right-to-Know) Standards the hospital has procedures to:

1. Identify and label all hazardous substances.

2. Set up procedures for safe handling, storage, use, and disposal.

3. Train employees and monitor their health.

4. Inspect, test, and maintain work environment and equipment.

MSDS - Material Safety Data Sheet

It is an informational sheet(s) put together by the manufacturer of a material.

It gives important safety information including:

Materials description (color, odor, etc.)

How to use the material

Potential for fire hazard

Spill clean up

First aid information

Safe storage

Safety details.

Each employee may request their own copy of the MSDS for materials they work with or could be exposed to as part of their job. The employer has 72 hours to produce the MSDS for the employee.

Main files of Material Safety Data Sheets are kept at the Switchboard area and are accessible 24/7.

Off site locations maintain their own file/copies.

Employee’s Responsibilities for Hazardous Materials

1. Know the hazards you face by reading PRODUCT LABELS and the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets), which describe the hazards of the chemical and include the first aid instructions to treat exposure to a certain chemical.
2. Be familiar with and adhere to all applicable plans and procedures concerning disposal of wastes.
3. Take part in safety training programs.
4. Notify your immediate supervisor when problems or violations occur.
5. Use appropriate protective equipment when handling hazardous and infectious wastes.

Types of Hazardous Materials

Chemicals (Toxic, Corrosive, Flammable & Reactive-explosive or may give off vapors when mixed with other substances)

Radioactive Materials

Drugs (Chemotherapy or “cytotoxic”)

Infectious or Contaminated Materials

Ways YOU can be exposed!

Injuries from sharps (i.e. needle sticks, broken glass, etc.)

Inhaling dust, vapors, or gases

Swallowing (eating contaminated foods)

Absorption through skin

Contact with broken skin

Splashes into eyes