SAFETY OBJECTIVE Without reference, identify basic facts about hospital safety practices pertaining to biological, chemical and fire hazards with at least 70 percent accuracy.

FIRE SAFETY Fire Behavior Fire Triangle Items required to Support combustion Fuel Oxygen Heat Remove any one item and the fire goes out

FIRE SAFETY Fire Types Type A Type B Type C Type D Flammable solids Flammable liquids Type C Energized electronics Type D Flammable metals

FIRE SAFETY Types of Fire Extinguishers Water Carbon Dioxide Known as APW (Air Pressurized Water) extinguishers Used on type “A” fires only Carbon Dioxide Filled with carbon dioxide gas Used for class B and C fires only

FIRE SAFETY Dry Chemical Usually designed for class ABC fires Also called ABC extinguishers Most common type

CHEMICAL SAFETY Chemical forms and exposure hazards All chemicals exist in 3 basic forms: Solid - dust and fumes Liquid - vapors and mist Gas

CHEMICAL SAFETY Exposure routes Hazards Breathing/inhalation Physical - cause explosion, fires, violent chemical reactions or other hazardous situations Health - cause illness or injury when inhaled or swallowed, or contact with the eyes or skin Exposure routes Breathing/inhalation Skin/eye contact Skin absorption Swallowing/ingestion

CHEMICAL SAFETY Degree of hazard depends upon: Toxicity of the chemical - low, medium, high Exposure route - more toxic by one route than another Dosage - how much, long, often for exposures Individual differences Work practices Age and size General physical and emotional health Allergies and sensitivities Level of exertion

CHEMICAL SAFETY Types of physical and health hazards Physical Hazards Compressed gases Explosives Fire hazards Pyrophorics - ignite in air below 130° F Flammable liquids - ignite below 100° F Combustible liquids - ignite between 100-200° F Oxidizers - supply the O2 required to start or support a fire

CHEMICAL SAFETY Unstable/reactive chemicals Health Hazards Decomposition hazards - easily break up into simpler substances Polymerization hazards – self react, causing heat Water reactive - react violently with water Health Hazards Irritants - cause redness/itching Corrosives- eat away flesh Cryogenics - freeze tissue

CHEMICAL SAFETY Organ/system specific Reproductive hazards Mutagens - damage genes in egg or sperm cells Teratogens - damage fetus during development Sensitizers - cause allergic-like responses Carcinogen - cause cancer

CHEMICAL SAFETY Controlling Chemical Hazards Engineering Controls Substitution - steam instead of solvent Isolation General ventilation Local exhaust ventilation Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Protective gloves and clothing Eye and face protection Air purifying respirators Air supplied respirators

CHEMICAL SAFETY Administrative Controls Documentation, information, training Work practices Housekeeping Monitoring - check effectiveness of other controls

CHEMICAL SAFETY Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) Must contain Name, address, phone number of company Name of chemical material as it appears on the warning label Health hazards of the chemical including signs and symptoms of exposure precautions for safe handling and use Any applicable control measures

CHEMICAL SAFETY Labels and Hazardous Chemical Inventory HAZCOM standard requires the use of labels that include Name and identity of the chemical that matches the inventory and MSDS All appropriate hazard warnings Transport containers that are filled and emptied in the same shift do not need labels

BIOLOGICAL SAFETY Hospital infection control procedures must cover: Equipment Personnel Work Site and Tools Equipment general precautions Equipment will be cleaned by USER prior to being accepted for maintenance, especially: Equipment that is contaminated with body fluids Equipment used in isolation rooms

BIOLOGICAL SAFETY Items that cannot be properly cleaned before turn in, i.e. internal spills, will be disassembled and cleaned using personal protective equipment Areas within the hospital that merit more stringent equipment precautions Laboratory Surgery Laminar Flow Hoods

BIOLOGICAL SAFETY Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Includes: Gloves Mask Scrubs Eye shields Wash hands before and after use Disposable Ensure no skin is exposed

BIOLOGICAL SAFETY Protective apparel Work site Disposable coverall or a solid front gown Long sleeves and tight fitting cuffs Not worn outside work area Changed immediately if Contaminated Shoe and hair covers Work site Work area should have eyewash fountain or sink and appropriate first aid equipment if hazardous materials are present or used

BIOLOGICAL SAFETY Tools Ensure tools are in good repair Clean tools after use, especially when working on contaminated or equipment suspected of contamination No eating at bench while performing repair Report any mishaps immediately