Regulatory Compliance OSHA Glossary

Regulatory Compliance OSHA Glossary / Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science

Blood

Human blood, human blood components, and products made from human blood

Bloodborne Pathogens

Microscopic organisms in human blood and body fluids that can cause disease in humans

They include Human Immunodeficiency (HIV) and Hepatitis-B (HBV) viruses plus others

Body Fluids

Are those that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) identify as directly linked to passing on diseases like HIV and HBV

These fluids include: blood, blood products, semen, vaginal secretions, fluids of the brain and spine, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, saliva, and any body fluid that is visibily contaminated with blood

In situations where it is difficult or impossible to tell which body fluids are present, assume that all fluids are infectious

Carcinogen

Any substance or agent producing or inciting the development of cancerous growth in living tissue

Chemical

Any element, chemical compound or mixture of elements and/or compounds

Chemical Manufacturer

An employer with a workplace where chemical(s) are produced for use of distribution

Chemical Name

The scientific designations of a chemical in accordance with the nomenclature system develolped by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) or the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) rules of nomenclature, or a name which will clearly identify the chemical for the purpose of conducting a hazard evaluation

Combustible Liquid

Any liquid having a flashpoint at or above 100 degrees F (37.8 degrees C), but below 200 degrees F (93.3 degrees C), or higher, the total volume of which make up 99 percent or more of the total volume of the mixture

Common Name

Any designation or identification such as code name, code number, trade name, brand name, or generic name used to identify a chemical other than by its chemical name

Compressed Gas

(1) a gas or mixture of gases having, in a container, an absolute pressure exceeding 40 psi at 70 degrees F (21.1 degrees C)

(2) A gas or mixture of gases having, in a container, an absolute pressure exceeding 104 psi at 130 degrees F (54.4 degrees C) regardless of the pressure at 70 degrees (21.1 degrees C)

(3) a liquid having a vapor pressure exceeding 40 psi at 100 degrees F (37.8 degrees C) as determined by ASTM D-323-72

Container

Any bag, barrel, bottle, box, can, cylinder, drum, reaction vessel, storage tank, or the like that contains a hazardous chemical

Contaminated

The presence or the reasonably anticpated presence of blood or other potentially infectious materials on an item or surface

Contaminated Sharps

Are any contaminated object than can penetrate the skin including, but not limited to needles, scalpels, broken, broken capillary tubes and exposed ends of dental wires

Contamination

Means the presence, or probable presence, of blood or other materials that may be infectious, on an item or surface

Corrosive

Any substance that causes visible destruction, or irreversible alterations, in living tissue by chemical action

Cutaneous Exposure

Blood or body fluid contact with chapped, abraded, or otherwise non-intact skin

Decontamination

The process of removing, inactivating, or destroying bloodborne pathogens on a surface or item to the point where they can no longer pass on infections

Physical or chemical means may be used in this process, which makes surfaces and items safe for handling, use, or disposal

Distributor

A business, other than a chemical manufacturer or importer, which supplies hazardous chemicals to other distributors or to employees

Employee

A worker who may be exposed to hazardous chemicals under normal operating conditions or in foreseeable emergencies

Workers such as office workers who encounter hazardous chemicals only in non-routine, isolated instances are not covered

Employer

A person engaged in a business where chemicals are either used, distributed, or are produced for use or distribution, including a contractor or subcontractor

Engineering Controls

Any controls (e.g. sharps disposal containers self- sheathing needles) that isolate or remove the bloodborne pathogens hazard from the workplace

Exigent Circumstances

Situation requiring immediate action or urgency: when exigent circumstances exist the funeral provider might embalm without permission

Explosive

A chemical that causes a sudden, almost instantaneous release of pressure, gas, and heat when subjected to sudden shock, pressure, or high temperature

Exposure Incident

A specific eye, mouth, other mucous membrane, non-intact skin, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that results from the performance of an employee's duties

Exposure or Exposed

That an employee is subjected in the course of employment to a chemical that is a physical or health hazard, and includes potential (e.g. accidental or possible) exposure

"Subjected" in terms of health hazards includes any route of entry (e.g. inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, or absorption)

Flammable

(1) Aerosol, means an aerosol that, when tested yields a flame projection exceeding 18 inches at full valve opening, or a flashback (a flame extending back to the valve) at any degree of valve opening

(2) Gas, means a gas that, at ambient temperature and pressure forms a flammable mixture with air at a concentration of 13 percent by volume

(3) Liquid, means any liquid having a flashpoint below 100 degrees F (37.8 degrees C), the total of which makes up 99 percent or more of the total volume of the mixture

(4) Solid, means a solid, other than a blasting agent or explosive that is liable to cause fire through friction, absorption of moisture, spontaneous chemical change, retained heat, or which can be ignited readily and when ignited burns so vigorously and persistently as to create a serious hazard

Foreseeable Emergency

Means any potential occurrence such as, but not limited to, equipment failure, rupture of containers, or failure of control equipment which could result in an uncontrolled release of a hazardous chemical into the workplace

Handwashing Facilities

Facilities providing an adequate supply of running water, soap, and single use towels or hot air drying machines

Hazard Warning

Any words, pictures, symbols, or combination thereof appearing on a label or other appropriate form of warning which convey the specific health hazard(s) including target organ effects, of the chemical(s) in the container(s)

Hazardous Chemical

Means any chemical which is a physical hazard or a health hazard

HBV

Hepatitis B Virus

Health Hazard

Means a chemical for which there is statistically significant evidence based on at least one study conducted that acute or chronic health effects may occur in exposed employees

Hematotoxins

Chemicals acting on the blood

Hepatotoxins

Chemicals capable of producing liver damage

HIV

Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Identity

Means any chemical or common name which is indicated on the Material Data Safety Sheets (MSDS) for the chemcial

The identity used shall permit cross-references to be made among the required list of hazardous chemicals and the MSDS

Immediate Use

Means that the hazardous chemical will be under the control of an used only by the person who transfers it from a labeled container and only within the work shift in which it is transferred

Irritant

Any material which at the site of contact causes a reversible inflammatory effect on living tissue by chemical action

Label means

Any written, printed, or graphic material displayed on or affixed to containers of hazardous chemicals

Mixture means

Any combination of two or more chemicals if the combination is not, in whole or in part, the result of a chemical reaction

Mucous Membrane Exposure

Blood or body fluid contact with the surface of the eye or mucous membranes of the nose or mouth

Nephrotoxins

Chemicals capable of damaging the kidneys

Neurotoxins

Chemicals producing primary toxic effects on the nervous system

Occupational Exposure

Contact with contaminated blood or other infectious materials on the job

It can involve exposure of the eyes, mouth, or other mucous membrane, or exposure through skin that has been scaped, cut, punctured, or injured in any way

Organic Peroxides

An organic compound containing the bivalent O-O structure and which may be considered a peroxide derivative with one or both of the hydrogen atoms replaced by an organic molecule

They are a dangerous fire and explosive risk

Oxidizer

A substance that initiates or promotes combustion in other materials, thereby causing fire either of itself or through the release of oxygen or other gases

Parenteral

Piercing mucous membranes or the skin barrier through such events as needlesticks, human bites, cuts, and abrasions

Percutaneous Exposure

Contaminated needlestick or puncture, cuts with sharp objects contaminated with blood or body fluid

Personal Protective Equipment

Specialized clothing or equipment that an employee wears to protect against a hazard.

General work clothing, like pants, shirts, or blouses, are not considered personal protective equipment because they are not intended to protect against bloodborne pathogens and other hazards

Physical Hazard

A chemical for which there is scientifically valid evidence that it is a combustible liquid, a compressed gas, explosive, flammable, an organic peroxide, an oxidizer, pyrophoric, unstable or water reactive

Pyrophoric

A chemical that will ignite spontaneously in air at a temperature of 130 degrees F (54.4 degrees C) or below

Reproductive Toxins

Poisonous chemicals having harmful effects on the reproductive system

Responsible Party

Someone who can provide additional information on the hazardous chemical and appropriate emergency procedures, if necessary

Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

Written or printed material concerning a hazardous chemical

Sensitizer

Any material that after repeated exposure on people or animals causes a substantial number of exposed people or animals to develop an allergic reaction in normal tissue

Toxic or Highly Toxic Agent

Any poisonous material that causes harmful effects on the body through ingestion, inhalation, or physical contact

Universal Precautions

Safety procedures to be followed in the handling of human remains, blood, and body fluids

These procedures are based on the required assumption that all human remains may be infected with HIV or HBV virus or other bloodborne pathogens

Unstable

A chemical which in the pure state, or as produced or transported, will vigorously polymerize, decompose, condense, or will become self-reactive under conditions of shocks, pressure, or temperature

Water Reactive

A chemical that reacts with water to release a gas that is either flammable or presents a health hazard

Work Area

A room or defined space in a workplace where hazardous chemicals are produced or used, and where employees are present

Workplace

An establishment, job site, or project, at one geographical location containing one or more work areas