CHEMICAL HAZARDS

CHEMICAL HAZARDS

• Exposure to Chemicals at Work• Preventing the Exposures• OSHA Regulations & Implementations

CHEMICAL HAZARDS

• Continue exposure to any Hazardous or toxic chemical by anyone will result in adverse effect on one’s health.

• Chemicals found, can enter one’s body through inhalation, skin absorption or swallow (food)

• Many Chemicals can cause serious illness

STAFF, EXPOSED TO THE HAZARD IN A HOSPITAL

• Central Sterilizing Staff (CSSD) - Cleaning and sterilizing agents

• Laboratory technicians - Tissue fixatives and reagents

• Dietary & Housekeeping staff - Insecticides,detergents,disinfectants,solvents

• Operation room staff - Anesthetic agents

• Nurses,Pharmacists,Physicians - Medications,disinfectants,solvents,anti-cancer

agents

• Staff in specialty procedure rooms-Disinfectants,sterilizing agents

Preventing Exposures

• By using:I. Engineering controlsII. Safe Work ProceduresIII. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Engineering Controls

Any Physical Device Or Equipment Used Or Installed To Prevent Occupational Hazard Exposure, Illness, Or Injury.

Right Storage Facility-Safety Cabinets, Hazmat Cabinets

Eye wash Stations (Lab)

Emergency Shower Stations (Lab)

Work Practice Controls

The Process And Procedures Used To Assure Work Is Conducted In A Safe And Healthy Manner

Written Policies and ,Plans on the subject

Personal Protective Equipment

• Gloves

• Gowns

• Aprons

• Face Shield

• Masks

• Goggles or other eye protection

To avoid continue exposure to the Chemicals, the PPE can be used:

REGUALATIONS ON CHEMICAL HAZARDS

OSHA - Occupational Safety & Health Administration (US); Regulations:

• For Chemical Manufacturers:

Determine the Hazards of each product

Communicate the hazard information and associated protective measures downstream to customers through labels and MSDS

Due to OSHA’s initiatives MSDS for all chemical products launched

Regulations for Employers

• Identify and list hazardous chemicals in the work places (Hazmat Inventory)

• Obtain MSDS for all Hazardous Chemicals

• Label for each hazardous chemicals (NFPA labeling)

• Develop and implement a written hazard communication program

• Action plan on Chemical Spills

Are we following regulations?

• Yes, we strictly follow OSHA regulations (JCI/MOH Standards)

• We have proper HAZMAT management system, such as:

• Hazmat management and Hazardous Waste management policies

• MSDS for all Hazardous materials

• Proper NFPA labelling with correct hazard ratings

• Hazmat Inventory

• Action plan in case of spillage (Code Brown)

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ACTIONS IN CASE OF SPILLS

• Small Spills - Clean up by concerned staff

• Large Spills - Activation of Code Brown

Chemicals Contact with Skin:

• Emergency wash - the affected part of body

• First Aid followed by emergency medical check up

Chemical Spill

Chemical Contact with Eyes

• Emergency Eye Wash• Emergency Medical

Check up and treatment

Chemical Spill

Chemical spilled on whole Body:

• Take an Emergency Shower• Get medical check up done

CHEMICAL HAZARDS

In an hospital environment Exposure to Chemical Hazards can not be avoided but it can be controlled as well as reduced through a proper Hazardous Material (HAZMAT) management.

We manage the HAZMAT very well

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Thank you