Hazards

Summary of Manufacturer Responsibilities

- Develop SDSs for all hazardous products - Determine the physical and health hazards of products - Distribute SDSs to purchasers

Cont. of local and systemic effects

A local effect, such as a chemical burn, can provide warning of exposure, alerting you that you may be at risk for systemic injury. Many chemicals, however, do not produce noticeable local effects. Certain toxic gases, for example, can be inhaled without causing irritation or other local effects. Nevertheless, these gases may produce serious systemic effects.

Under the Hazard Communication Act...

Employers are responsible for maintaining a file of safety data sheets (SDSs) for all hazardous chemicals used in their facilities. They are NOT responsible for creating SDSs or verifying their accuracy. The manufacturer of each hazardous chemical is responsible for creating a corresponding SDSs and providing accurate information. Chemical manufacturers and importers must provide a label that includes a signal word, pictogram, and hazard statement for each hazard class and category. Precautionary statements, product identifier, and supplier information must also be provided. The NFPA 704 symbol is NOT required. **OSHA requires all employers to develop written hazard communication programs.

Summary of Employer Responsibilities

- Compile a list of all hazardous chemicals used in a facility - Ensure that appropriate SDSs are readily available to workers - Acquire and maintain a file of SDSs for all hazardous chemicals used in a facility

Other facts about hazards

- Inhaled chemicals can irritate the nose or throat, damage the lungs, and/or enter the bloodstream through the lungs. - Skin is not IMPERMEABLE, but it is our first line of external defense from pathogens. - You should never smoke around hazardous chemicals.

Summary of Employee Responsibilities

- Know where SDSs are located - Know how to read an SDS - Follow SDS instructions for chemical use and storage

You are working to bring a healthcare facility into compliance with the SDS-related provisions of OSHA's HCS. You interview administrative personnel at the facility. You learn that the facility has compiled a list of all hazardous chemicals to which workers in the facility might be exposed. An SDS corresponding to each chemical on the list has been obtained and filed. For full compliance, you advise that this facility also must...

... Ensure that the SDS file is readily available to all workers in their work areas, at all times. Under the HCS, employers are NOT responsible for verifying the accuracy of SDS information, or compiling a list of emergency numbers.

In which section of a SDS would you find information about exposure limits?

Exposure controls and personal protection information

Exposure routes to a chemical that is a health hazard (e.g. Glutaraldehyde, lead, mercury, formalin)

Eyes, skin, inhalation, ingestion (mouth), or injection Health hazards are related to the way that a chemical interacts with your body. If you are exposed to a chemical hazardous to human health, you could suffer death, long-term damage, or short-term injury or illness. Lead exposure can cause mental retardation in children. Mercury can lead to brain damage. Formalin: used as a fixative; 10% is a carcinogen and a severe eye and skin irritant; can cause instant and irreversible lung damage, dry flaky skin, and/or allergic rxns Glutaraldehyde: used to disinfect and clean heat-sensitive equipment such as surgical instruments and endoscopes; can cause - Throat and lung irritation - Asthma-like symptoms and breathing difficulty - Nose irritation and bleeding - Headache - Nausea - Skin and eye irritation

T/F: You can never use too much PPE when working with a hazardous chemical that has adverse health effects.

FALSE - Excess PPE can create hazards such as heat stress, impair vision, mobility, and communication.

T/F: Latex gloves should always be used as PPE when handling chemicals in the healthcare environment.

FALSE - Latex gloves are permeable to many types of chemicals. They do not always provide adequate protection.

T/F: Solids in the form of dust, fume, or fibers are rarely hazardous.

FALSE - Solids are not usually hazardous. Most solid materials are not readily absorbed into the body. Dust, fume, and fibers, however, can be highly hazardous.

T/F: The chemical hazard label indicates the class of hazard. It uses three major color-coded categories: health (yellow), flammability (red), and instability (blue).

FALSE - The label uses one of 9 pictograms to identify the hazard class.

If a product is an oxidizing agent, a ____ pictogram will appear on the label.

Flame Over Circle

You are preparing a chemical hazard label for a new product. You know that the product is flammable, carcinogenic, and may irritate the respiratory tract. What pictograms should be on the label?

Flame, Health Hazard, and Exclamation Mark

A product labeled with Skull and Crossbones pictogram -->

Has the potential for severe, acute toxicity

Injection

Injection may occur if you are cut with a tool, instrument, or needle that has been contaminated with a chemical.

Eyes

Many chemicals can burn or irritate the eyes. In some cases, chemicals may be absorbed through the eyes and enter the bloodstream.

Physical Hazards

Physical hazards explode, ignite, or react violently with other substances or the environment. E.g. Trinitrotoluene (TNT), compressed gas in a cylinder, isopropanol and other alcohols (can catch fire if exposed to heat or sparks)

Skin

Some chemicals can burn the skin. Other chemicals may pass through the skin and enter the bloodstream.

You are preparing to work with Chemical A. You open the appropriate storage cabinet, and notice Chemical B. as well as Chemical A. Based on your knowledge of both chemicals you suspect that they should not be stored together. Which section of SDS should you consult in order to confirm your suspicion?

Stability and reactivity The Stability and Reactivity section of an SDS provides information regarding the material's stability, as well as any special storage or use instructions. Any products or substances that should not be stored with the material are listed under incompatible materials in this section. Relevant information may also be found in the Handling and Storage section.

You are preparing to work with a chemical. Prior to opening the container, you inspect the label for any special instructions or warnings. You notice the corrosion pictogram on the chemical hazard label. You are wearing prescription glasses, jeans, a t-shirt, and tennis shows. What types of PPE should you consider including in your PPE ensemble?

The corrosion pictogram indicates that the chemical corrosive, which is a chemical that is able to destroy living tissue upon short- or long-term contact. Select PPE to protect the eyes and all exposed skin. You need goggles for the eyes. Remember that prescription glasses are not a substitute for goggles. You will also need gloves for skin of the hands. You should wear a lab coat to protect the skin of your arms.

Inhalation

The most common type of exposure occurs when chemicals are inhaled into the lungs. Inhaled chemicals may irritate the nose or throat, damage the lungs, or enter the bloodstream through the lungs.

Local and systemic effects of toxic chemicals

Toxic chemicals may have local effects only, systemic effects only, OR both local and systemic effects A local effect occurs when the chemical causes damage at the point where it first contacts the body, e.g. eyes, skin, and nose. A systemic effect occurs when the chemical enters the bloodstream and travels throughout the body. The organs most commonly harmed include liver, kidneys, heart, brain, and reproductive organs.

Ingestion

You may ingest hazardous chemicals while smoking, eating, and drinking. It is never safe to eat, drink, or smoke near hazardous chemicals. Always wash your hands after working hazardous chemicals. Wash your hands before eating, drinking, or smoking.