Author Archive for Steve MacArthur

Be wary of MSDS exemption for consumer cleaning products

My colleagues and I had a discussion recently about an OSHA reference for when material safety data sheets (MSDS) are not required when staff members use everyday consumer cleaning products.

This comes from OSHA’s hazard communications standard (1910.1200), in which [more]

Staff training for ILSMs must mirror the risks involved

When it comes to interim life safety measures (ILSM) under LS.01.02.01, poor staff education can result in some exposure during survey, minimally as a direct impact finding. Problems can also lead to conditional and preliminary denial of accreditation from The Joint Commission.

The means of providing ILSM education, while largely self-determined, need to [more]

Risk assessments offer good foundation for OR extinguisher choice

When it comes to which type of fire extinguisher to use in the OR, your best bet is to back up your choice with a risk assessment (but of course).

I think the key tipping point in presenting a properly conducted risk assessment is to make sure [more]

Don’t park your wheeled computers in egress corridors

When it comes to computers-on-wheels (COWs) in corridors, the same rule applies as it would for most other items in egress corridors. Any item in a corridor (regardless of it’s purpose) may be left unattended for up to 30 minutes, after which, CMS has determined, the item ceases to be “in use” and becomes “storage.”

There are two exceptions [more]

Do you take heads or tails with the H1N1 pandemic?

The World Health Organization’s pandemic flu alert is very much like the homeland security threat level: At what point does everyone become desensitized to what the legitimate risk potential might be at any given moment?

I understand from an intellectual standpoint that the poop could really hit the rotating blades come the fall with H1N1, but [more]

Tread carefully on the new fire watch interpretation

As you may have read already, The Joint Commission has updated its approach to fire watches by stating that fire watches would generally only be necessary during unscheduled alarm or sprinkler system disruptions.

From a consultative standpoint, I advise you to [more]

Defibrillators are life support equipment, says The Joint Commission

If this ever-changing world in which we live in has got you down, you’ll be pleased to note that once again, a succulent pearl of wisdom has issued forth from The Joint Commission: What is the meaning of life (support equipment).

For some reason it appears that there has been much consternation and controversy over [more]

PI ’til you’re PO’d

One of the more common pushbacks I hear relative to my suggestions for improving policies, procedures, etc., is, “We’ve been doing it like this for (insert time frame here) and it’s never been a problem.”

From a safety professional standpoint, I cannot tell you how disheartening it can be to hear that. I have yet to find an organization that does not [more]

Staff must take the lead in preventing cylinders from falling

Last month, I wrote about The Joint Commission’s position on compressed gas cylinders — but wait, there’s more.

When it comes to these cylinders, the bottom line is whether your organization has eliminated the risk of cylinders falling and becoming damaged, or reduced the risk to its lowest potential.

Please remember if your staff [more]

Developing emergency management bench strength

At hospitals I’ve worked with, the practice for emergency management training has been to develop a great deal of what I like to refer to as bench strength among senior leaders and the management team (don’t forget off-shift supervisors — 128 hours of the week are considered off-hours and you don’t want to be caught short during those times).

They have accomplished this by having organizational leaders [more]