CSMLS Safety Manual Quiz Ch 1-2

Types of micro-organisms involved in infections

- Bacteria - Fungi - Parasites - Viruses - Rickettsiae

Loss Control Program:

-Anything done to modify the work to reduce or eliminate the risk

Examples of Losses from illness/injury in the lab:

-Direct losses related to injury/illness -Worker's compensation costs -Medical costs -Rehabilitation cost -Financial losses (worker's wages, unemployment, loss of time hiring/training new worker)

Categories of Hazards:

1. Chemical Hazards (flammable liquids, toxic gases, etc) 2. Biological Hazards (bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi which are capable of causing illness in humans) 3. Physical Hazards (hazards posed by physical aspects of the environment; radiation, noise, thermal stress, mechanical hazards) 4. Ergonomic Hazards (elements related to the design of the workplace which stress the human organism physically or mentally) 5. Psychological Hazards (conditions of work which cause psychological stress to worker)

3 Classes of Control Measures for Reducing Exposure to Hazards: 1. Engineering Controls:

1. Engineering Controls: Include actions, items, or equipment designed to reduce harmful exposures ○ Ex: Isolation of hazard from the worker (glove box, enclosed tube system) ○ Guarding to prevent contact between worker & moving parts ○ Ventilation controls (chemical fume hoods, biosafety cabinets) ○ Safety containment equipment (safety carriers for centrifuges, pipette plugs)

Steps of Task Hazard Analysis: 5 - (Take into consideration severity, frequency, & probability of exposure outcomes)

1. List critical (major) steps of task 2. Identify potential hazards at each step 3. Review available control measures 4. Verify the task, ensure they follow proper procedures & use all required effectiveness of controls 5. If current control measures are not adequate, identify more appropriate controls

4 ways to deal with risk:

1. Tolerate the Risk (decide it has a low chance of occurring & ignore it) 2. Treat the Risk (modifying the procedures, equipment, or reagents to reduce risk) 3. Terminate the Procedure (completely in your lab (no longer offer the test) 4. Transfer the Risk (send the samples to another lab that has adequate means to control the risk)

Tools to Identify Hazards: (7)

1. Walkthrough surveys 2. Review of procedures 3. Material data safety sheets (SDSs) 4. Review of accident & dangerous incident reports 5. Equipment maintenance records 6. Equipment critical parts review 7. Inspections 8. Literature reviews

3 Classes of Control Measures for Reducing Exposure to Hazards: 2. Administrative Controls:

2. Administrative Controls: Actions that can be taken by admin to reduce employee exposure to hazards ○ Ex: Orientation for new workers in lab ○ Substitution of a hazard or process ○ Scheduling work to avoid overexposure ○ Purchasing controls to ensure safety is considered ○ Training ○ Workplace/Pre-workplace inspections ○ Occupational health (immunizations, post exposure follow up) ○ Emergency response plans

3 Classes of Control Measures for Reducing Exposure to Hazards: 3. Personal Controls: PPE

3. Personal Controls (Personal protective Equipment (PPE)): The use of personal protective equipment ○ Includes: Gloves ○ Gowns, lab coats, aprons ○ Eye protection ○ Respirators ○ Proper footwearProper footwear

Occupational Hygiene:

A science that uses systematic approach to anticipate, identify, & evaluate workplace hazards and to recommend suitable controls

Measurement & Monitoring of Hazards: Area Monitoring

Area Monitoring: used to measure the level of contaminant in a specific area ○ Airborne chemical contaminant ○ Biological agents ○ Temperature, relative humidity, and air supply (comfort levels) ○ Noise ○ Radiation

Measurement & Monitoring of Hazards: Biological Monitoring

Biological Monitoring: The measurement of the presence of a hazardous substance in a person or the effects on the metabolism (ex: testing blood for presence of lead or for antibody produced in response to exposure to a microorganism like a virus) ○ Some chemical exposures ○ Some biological exposures ○ Noise exposures (audiometry)

Due Diligence Definition:

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety: "Doing everything reasonable to protect the health & safety of workers" and means that "employers shall take all reasonable precautions, under the circumstances to prevent injuries or accidents in the workplace"

Measurement & Monitoring of Hazards: Dosimetry Monitoring

Dosimetry Monitoring: Enables the measurement of a person's "dose" (radiation dosimetry) ○ Chemical exposure level ○ Noise dose ○ Ionizing radiation dose

Control Measures:

Implementation of controls can be used to eliminate/reduce exposure to hazards

Hierarchy of Controls:

Implies some types of controls are more effective/desirable than others: 1. Engineering controls considered the most effective measure & the preferred method of controlling hazardous substances 2. Administrative controls are the 2nd choice & depend on adherence to rules/safe work practices to be effective 3. Personal controls/Protective equipment are the "last line of defence" against exposures. Should the PPE fail, exposure may occur

Measurement & Monitoring of Hazards: Personal Monitoring

Personal Monitoring: Involves similar measurement as area monitoring but is performed at the person's exposure zone

Sources of Legislation:

Primarily a provincial jurisdiction in Canada each province has its own occupational health and safety act and regulatory agency

Task Hazard Analysis (Job Safety Analysis): Definition

Process consists of listing all critical steps of a task, and identifying all hazards associated with each step. For each hazard listed the applicable control measure should be identified

"Threshold Limit Values" (TLV's):

Represent the highest level at which a large percentage of healthy workers can be exposed to a substance without ill effects

Internal Responsibility System (IRS):

Used to demonstrate the activities/responsibilities of all those at a worksite to ensure health and safety

WHMIS: Respecting the worker's right to know about hazards in the workplace

• 3 Major Elements: 1. (Material) Safety Data Sheets ((M)SDS) 2. Labels 3. Training (most important) • May eventually be replaced by the internationally recognized Globally Harmonized System (GHS)

Canada Criminal Code - Bill C-45

• In 2004 Federal government made Bill C-45 that states all persons at work must take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of workers/public • If not, and injury/illness occurs you may be charged with criminal negligence • Also applies to officers, supervisors, or managers who fail to fulfill their health & safety obligations

Federal Legislation Includes:

○ Canada labour code part II ○ WHMIS ○ TDG Act and regulations for rail and seaways ○ Canadian nuclear safety and control act ○ Canada criminal code ○ Human pathogens and toxins act

Municipal Legislation includes:

○ Fire codes ○ Building codes ○ Sanitation and waste disposal regulations ○ Water and air emissions

Key Requirements for Successful OHSMS:

○ Management leadership and commitment ○ Employee involvement ○ Clear roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities ○ Documented procedures, including hazard ID, assessment, and control ○ Measurement and review of activities

Provincial Legislation Includes:

○ Occupational health and safety laws and associated regulations ○ Worker's compensation legislation ○ Workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS) ○ Environmental legislation ○ Sanitation & waste disposal legislation ○ Transport of dangerous good (TDG) regulations for highways

Major Program Components Required to Show Due Diligence:

○ Policies regarding health & safety that are well communicated/enforced ○ Training of workers to ensure awareness & competence in safe work practices ○ Development & communication of safe work procedures in respect of worker's "right to know" ○ Record keeping to demonstrate adequate management of health & safety issues ○ Demonstration of enforcement of rules ○ Proactive management & a well-defined system of corporate & individual accountability

IRS: Management Must:

○ Provide appropriate resources for safe work ○ Conduct accident investigations ○ Orient and train all staff ○ Identify hazards and advise employees accordingly ○ Take corrective action for identified safety hazards ○ Participate in program development and implementation

IRS: Employee's Must:

○ Report hazards ○ Report accidents and incidents ○ Follow rules ○ Undergo training ○ Participate in program development and implementation

Different Types of TLV's

○ TWA: Time-Weighted Averages: For 40 hour work weeks ○ STEL Short Term Exposure Limits: no be subjected for more than 15min at a time ○ C Ceiling Levels: Above which workers should never be exposed