Archive for: Hazard Communication
Medical Environment Update—OSHA horror stories highlight safety faux pas
Healthcare workers share their tales of extreme but true safety miscues that will make even a veteran safety officer cringe and how they converted these situations into training opportunities in the October issue of Medical Environment Update.
Here is an excerpt from that article and a look at what else is covered in October issue.
OSHA proposes global system for hazard communication standard
The idea has been kicked around for years, and now it looks like it is finally going to happen. OSHA has proposed aligning the hazard communication standard with the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). The proposed rule and request for comments appeared in the September 30 Federal Register.
Weekly Poll: OSHA and GHS
A new rule in the Federal Register indicates OSHA has proposed aligning the hazard communication standard with the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).
OSHA says the alignment will improve the quality and consistency of information. Although this will affect manufacturers and importers rather than healthcare facilities, are you aware of the GHS system?
Notes From the field: “That squeeze bottle is your eyewash?”
Just as I was finishing up a mock OSHA inspection, I asked the manager where the eyewash was located.
She took me to a cabinet and pulled out a squeeze bottle. “Here it is,” she said.
I looked at her and asked how on earth she was going to tilt her head and squeeze that bottle for the required 15 minutes!
Notes from the field: Do you a need a MSDS for Wite-Out?
As I was looking through the material safety data sheet (MSDS) notebook in an office, I found one on distilled water, Wite-Out, and dishwasher soap. None of these substances are considered hazardous. If the product is available commercially to the general public and is used exactly as directed on the label, it does NOT need a MSDS. Substances such as bleach, chemotherapy drugs, some injectible drugs, and glutaraldehyde DO require MSDS.
Notes from the field: “A mercury spill–OH NO!”
Several weeks ago I was sitting in a meeting with the CEO of a physician organization. My cell phone was on vibrate, and it kept buzzing across the table. I excused myself and went out in the hall to see where these calls were coming from. All three messages came from the same office. When I called the manager I was notified of a mercury spill. I told her to restrict access to the room and I would be there as soon as I could.
Beware of OSHA standards bearing exemptions
There is a good post on Mac’s Safety Space, a sister blog of the OSHA Healthcare Advisor, on why the material safety date sheet (MSDS) exemption for consumer products in the hazard communication standard is not the “get out of jail free” card that you think it is.
Notes From the field: What’s that smell; why are my eyes burning?
The culprit was an open container of the high level disinfectant glutaraldehyde. The minute I stepped into the lab of a physician’s practice, I could smell the glutaraldehyde solution. There was a large basin sitting in the sink piled high with metal instruments.
This mixture should ALWAYS be kept in a tightly closed bin/container.
NIOSH proposes additions to hazardous list drug list
NIOSH has posted the proposed additions to its hazardous drug list in healthcare settings, which was last updated September 2004.
The list, which is undergoing public review until June 30 identifies 24 new pharmaceuticals that fit the NIOSH definition of hazardous drugs. One drug, Bacillus Calmette-Guerin, will be removed from the 2004 list.
Ask the expert—Electronic MSDS systems
Q: Is putting our material safety data sheet (MSDS) binder online in compliance with OSHA?
