DA211-Ch.23 Chemical and Waste Management

Chemical inventory

A list of every product used in the office that contains chemicals.

Precautionary statement

A phrase that describes recommended measures to be taken to minimize or prevent adverse effects resulting from exposure to a hazardous chemical, or improper storage or handling of a hazardous chemical.

Hazard statement

A statement assigned to a hazard class and category that describes the nature of the hazard(s) of a chemical, including, where appropriate, the degree of hazard.

Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)

An international approach to hazard communication.

Chemical

Any substance or mixture of substances.

Toxic chemicals

Chemicals that can have a fatal or toxic effect to humans.

Flammable

Readily capable of catching fire.

Chronic exposure

Repeated exposures, generally to lower levels, over a long time.

Hazard Communication Standard (HCS)

Revised Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard regarding employees' "right to know" about hazardous chemicals in the workplace.

All of the following are included in the Hazard Communication Program

SDS with a specified 16-section format, a chemical inventory of products in the office that contain hazardous chemicals, and employee training documentation.

The section of a SDS that describes proper methods of containment and cleanup is

Section 6—Accidental release measures

The section of the SDS listing precautions for storage incompatibilities is

Section 7—Handling and storage.

The protocol recommended by manufacturers of eyewash units to reduce microbial content in the waterline is a _____-minute flushing __________.

3; weekly

Health hazard

A chemical for which acute or chronic health effects may occur in an exposed employee.

Physical hazard

A chemical that is a combustible liquid, a compressed gas, or an explosive material or is flammable-reactive or water-reactive.

Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

Form provided by the chemical manufacturer that provides printed information regarding the hazards of materials and products that contain chemicals.

Pictograms

Graphic elements used on a hazard label, used to identify the specific hazard class and category.

All of these are required on a Safety Data Sheet

Hazard identification, accidental release measures, and composition/information on ingredients.

Acute exposure

High levels of exposure over a short period.

Regulated waste

Infectious waste that requires special handling, neutralization, and disposal.

Contaminated waste

Items such as gloves and patient napkins that may contain the potentially infectious body fluids of patients.

Which of the following is a form of toxicity that can be caused by chronic benzene exposure?

Leukemia

According to OSHA, how often do eyewash stations need to be inspected to ensure proper function?

Monthly

For continuing employees, Hazard Communication Program training is required

Once a year

Oxidizers

Substances that react or cause a chemical to react with oxygen.

Product identifier

The name or number used for a hazardous chemical on a label or in the Safety Data Sheet (SDS).

Hazard class

The nature of the physical or health hazards (e.g., flammable solid, carcinogen, oral acute toxicity).

Label elements

The pictogram, hazard statement, signal word, and precautionary statement for each hazard class and category.

Hazard classification

To identify the properties of a chemical to determine the degree of hazard.

Signal word

Two words used on the SDS: "Warning" for less severe hazard categories, and "Danger" for more severe hazard categories.

What is the purpose of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)?

Uniformity in classifying and labeling of a chemical regardless of where it is manufactured or used

A victim who immediately feels the effects of a chemical spill, with symptoms of dizziness, headache, nausea, and vomiting, is experiencing

acute chemical toxicity.

Toxic waste

Waste that can have a toxic effect to humans.

Infectious waste

Waste that is capable of transmitting an infectious disease.

Hazardous waste

Waste that poses a risk to humans or to the environment.

Scrap dental amalgam should be collected and stored in

a designated, dry, airtight container.

A chemical that can cause a physical or health hazard is

a hazardous chemical.

When a chemical is transferred to a different container, the new container must be labeled with

any label, providing the labeling system is easy to use and all employees are properly trained to understand and read the label.

All of the following chemicals are considered toxic

arsenic, mercury, lead, barium, chromium, and certain pesticides.

All waste containers that hold potentially infectious materials must

be labeled with the biohazard symbol.

These are considered a regulated waste

blood-soaked gauze, human tissue, and scalpel blade

Used radiographic fixer

can be managed on site with the installation of a silver recovery system.

Extracted teeth are

considered potentially infectious, a regulated waste, and can be heat sterilized for educational purposes.

The written program portion of the Hazard Communication Program

describes how to respond to chemical emergencies.

Products that have outlived their expiration date should be

disposed of immediately.

If a small mercury spill occurs in the dental office, the assistant should

get the mercury spill kit, a mask, and utility gloves.

The symptom(s) of acute toxicity is (are)

headache, dizziness, and unconsciousness.

An example of regulated waste that requires special disposal is

human tissue.

The Hazard Communication Standard requires employers to inform their employees about the ____________ of chemicals that they use in the workplace.

identity and hazards

Wastes are classified as hazardous if they are

ignitable.

Failure to wash hands that are contaminated with chemicals before eating a sandwich is an example of

ingestion

Regulated waste

is waste that is infectious and requires special handling, neutralization, and disposal

In addition to chemical exposure directly damaging the lungs, the organs that can also be affected are

kidneys, brain, and liver.

All of the following areas in a dental environment require good ventilation

laboratory, sterilization area, and darkroom.

OSHA requires a sharps container to be all of the following

leak-proof, puncture-resistant, and closable.

Chronic chemical toxicity results from generally ______ levels of the chemical over a much _______ time period than acute chemical toxicity.

lower; longer

Eyewash units

must be installed in every workplace where chemicals are used, according to OSHA regulations.

In the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) labeling system the color yellow indicates

reactivity

Lead foil from the radiographic film should be

recycled through Eastman Kodak or recycled as scrap metal

Radiographic fixer is considered a hazardous waste because it has a high

silver content.

Dermatitis can occur following chemical exposure by

skin contact.

The SDS should be organized in binders

so that employees can locate a particular SDS.

The government agency responsible for enforcing rules regarding the disposal of regulated waste is

the EPA.

Latex gloves worn during patient care do not provide adequate protection when handling chemicals because

the latex in the gloves degrades when exposed to chemical disinfectants.

The written program of the Hazard Communication Program must include all of the following information

the names of all employees who are exposed to hazardous chemicals, the identity of the individual responsible for the program, and a description of staff training.

Topics in a chemical training program for employees must include

the use of hazardous chemicals, required PPE, and the safe handling and disposal methods of chemicals.

When using chemicals, dental assistants must wear

utility gloves, mask, and eye protection.