Concepts Module 7- OSHA

OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

General safety standards

• Injury and illness prevention plans

- Implementation of a safety program

- Employee training- Correction of unsafe working conditions

Employees by exposure risk

- 1) High-risk job involving contact with blood, body fluid, or tissue (dentist, hygienist, assistant)

- 2) Moderate risk, possible contact with contaminated surfaces/objects (maintenance persons)

- 3) Low risk, unlikely contact with contaminated surfaces (receptionist)

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Must be made available to employees:

- Latex, synthetic, and nitrile gloves

- Lab coats or disposable gowns

- Safety glasses with side shields

- Masks

Preventing Work place hazards

- Bloodborne pathogens training

- Provide information regarding hazardous chemicals

General safety standards Communications

- Must be able to report workplace hazards without fear of reprisal

Exits

- Must be clearly marked

- Must be unlocked from the inside

Ladders/step stool

- Available to avoid injury

- Properly maintained

Walking and working surfaces

- Mark changes in elevation

- Furnish railings for stairs

- Clean spills

Emergency evacuation plan

- Use nearest exit

- Keep unlocked

- Use stairs not elevator

Fire prevention

- Keep flammable materials away from sources of ignition

- Maintain fire extinguishers

First aid kit

- Keep first aid items readily available

- CPR training

Eye wash station

- Easily accessible

- Identified by signs

Oxygen gas cylinder

green

Nitrous gas cylinder

blue

Trash receptacles

- Clean

- Easily accessible

Hazard Communication Standard

• Develop and implement a written hazard communication program

• Develop a list of hazardous chemicals in the work place

• Maintain copies of the safety data sheets (SDS)

• Ensure that each container of hazardous chemical is labeled

• Provide training to employees

List/Inventory of Hazardous Chemicals

• Must be maintained by employer

• The name of the hazardous material

• The SDS reference number

• Available to the employee

Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

Documents that contain information on hazardous chemicals:

• Must be maintained for each hazardous chemical & readily accessible during each work shift

• Kept in a notebook labeled "SDS" and all employees should be informed of its location

Biohazard label

-Fluorescent orange or orange-red with lettering and symbols in contrasting color

-Red bags/containers can be substituted for the orange labels

Medical Waste (Biohazardous)

• Waste found in dental offices:

- Includes blood and or gauze, cotton rolls, or drapes saturated with blood/saliva that, when compressed, will drip

Medical Waste (Sharps)

something that has come into contact with bodily fluid, and can puncture, cut, or pierce unbroken skin

(ex: needles, syringes, cartridges, etc..)

Protocol for recapping needles

1. Place cap on level horizaontal surface, slide needle half-way into cap

2. Slowly tip up needle end, let cap slide over it

3. Use thumb holding device to secure syringe cap

Biohazard Labels

• Containers of regulated waste

• Refrigerators or freezers containing blood or other potentially infectious Material (OPIM)

• Containers used to store, transport, or ship blood or OPIM

Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan

• Standard precautions

• Methods to reduce and minimize exposure

• Decontamination of treatment area

• Handling contaminated sharps

• Eating and drinking policy

• Sterilization methods

• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

• Hep B vaccination

Exposure Incident

• Eye, mouth, or mucous membrane contact with blood or other potentially infectious material (OPIM)

• Nonintact skin contact with blood or OPIM

• Parenteral contact (needle stick or puncture wound)with blood or OPIM

Engineering control

use of available technology and equipment to protect the worker from hazards (ex: sink foot pedal)

Work practice control

practices that are incorporated into all the health care associates' work habits to prevent the spread of infection

Steps of exposure

1. Flush it immediately (15 mins at least)

2. Report it to supervisor or faculty

3. Post exposure follow up

Exposure Incident and Follow-up

employee must complete an exposure incidentform, which will document the route andcircumstances of the exposure incident

Postexposure Evaluation and Follow-up

• Post-exposure evaluation and follow-up must be provided at no cost to the employee

> follow-up should occur immediately, performed by a licensed physician or health professional

Postexposure Evaluation and Follow-up(Source Individual)

Documentation of the source individual, or inability to document the source

• Source individual is tested for HBV and HIV as soon as possible. Document if consent cannot be obtained

• Employee receives the test results of the source individual (confidential)