Clearing Up Questions About Spill Kits
Two support questions we receive quite often are: what is the difference between an Infectious Spill Kit and Chemical Spill Kit, and what products do we need to maintain those kits?
Choosing a Safety Coordinator for Your Practice
Every practice needs a person who is in charge of keeping the practice OSHA-compliant and safe. This person needs to be onsite at the practice for most of the time when the practice and/or specific location is open. Choosing a Safety Coordinator can be more efficient with these guidelines.
Emergency Eyewash Stations
Corrosive chemicals, debris, and splashes from a patient’s oral cavity can harm unprotected eyes during treatment. That’s why having a nearby emergency eyewash station that meets OSHA standards is vital. If you’re unsure whether your practice needs one, OSHA’s answer is a clear “YES.”
Tuition Payback Agreements: Protect Your Employee Investment
Let’s face it, many practices are struggling with the staffing shortage. Those who are employed are likely working doubly hard, handling the duties of two people. It may be difficult to recruit RDHs and RDAs right now, particularly those who have added skills. Consider tuition payback agreements.
The Great Escape: Having a Fire and Emergency Action Plan
Does everyone at the practice know the drill if there were to be a natural disaster or emergency? It’s a great idea (and required by OSHA) to have a Fire and Emergency Action Plan in place that everyone at the practice knows and would instantly adhere to if there were a natural disaster or fire.
Sharps Containers: The Point of Compliance
by Gracie Hogue
One of the “small” details that is a big deal to OSHA is sharps containers. In some practices we at MPS have inspected, we’ve found sharps containers in places like cabinets, treatment room corners, and on countertops. OSHA has standards for sharps containers that if left unfollowed could result in costly OSHA fines. Since disposal is usually the main occasion for contaminated needle sticks to happen (according to CDC’s Workbook for Designing, Implementing, and Evaluating a Sharps Injury Prevention Program,) OSHA pays close attention to how sharps containers are placed and handled.
See CDC’s workbook here:
https://www.cdc.gov/sharpssafety/resources.html
If you’re at all unsure about your sharps containers, take a walk through your practice and compare the placement of the sharps containers to this list of required compliance:
- Size: OSHA doesn’t specify a certain required size; only that the “Employers should select the appropriate container design after assessing the hazards associated with use of sharps containers (e.g., considering the size and types of contaminated sharps the employer expects to dispose of),” according to recommendations from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) document, Selecting, Evaluating, and Using Sharps Disposal Containers. OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens standard at 29 CFR 1910.1030 (d)(4)(iii)(A)(l)(i) requires that sharps containers be closable, but does not specify a set size for the opening on a container to be.
- Material: There is not a specific material specified by OSHA, but: “Containers for contaminated sharps must be puncture-resistant. The sides and the bottom must be leakproof. They must be appropriately labeled or color-coded red to warn everyone that the contents are hazardous. Containers for disposable sharps must be closable (that is, have a lid, flap, door, or other means of closing the container), and they must be kept upright to keep the sharps and any liquids from spilling out of the container.” (Reference: OSHA Fact Sheet Protecting Yourself When Handling Contaminated Sharps.)
- Placement: This is where OSHA gets pretty specific. Sharps containers can’t be placed just anywhere. According to NIOSH and OSHA 1910-1040(g)(1)(i)(D).): “Sharps containers are to be located near the hazard, within arm’s reach and placed at height that is below eye level for users (typically 52 – 56 inches from the floor when wall mounted or 38 – 42 inches for a seated workstation).”
It obviously needs to be kept in a secure place where it cannot be jostled or easily knocked down or turned over. According to CDC guidelines: “Containers should be upright and easy to operate while preventing the contents from spilling. The container should be placed in a visible location, within easy horizontal reach, and below eye level. The container should also be placed away from any obstructed areas, such as near doors, under sinks, near light switches, etc.”
NIOSH has a list of inappropriate places for sharps containers. Those inappropriate places include:
- The corner(s) of a room
- Mounted on the back of a door
- Under cabinets
- Mounted on the inside of cabinet doors
- Under sinks
- In areas where a patient or person could sit or lie directly beneath the sharps container
- Near a light switch, environmental controls, or electrical outlets
- Where the container could possibly be in contact with a pedestrian or in practice traffic or moving equipment
- Care: “The containers must be replaced routinely and not be overfilled, which can increase the risk of needlesticks or cuts. Sharps disposal containers that are reusable must not be opened, emptied, or cleaned manually or in any other manner that would expose workers to the risk of sharps injury. Employers also must ensure that reusable sharps that are contaminated are not stored or processed in a manner that requires workers to reach by hand into the containers where these sharps have been placed.” (Reference: OSHA Fact Sheet Protecting Yourself When Handling Contaminated Sharps.)
- Handling: “Before sharps disposal containers are removed or replaced, they must be closed to prevent spilling the contents. If there is a chance of leakage from the disposal container, the employer must ensure that it is placed in a secondary container that is closable, appropriately labeled or color-coded red, and constructed to contain all contents and prevent leakage during handling, storage, transport, or shipping.” (Reference: OSHA Fact Sheet Protecting Yourself When Handling Contaminated Sharps.)
Being sure your sharps containers are made, placed, and handled correctly also ensures you that risk of injury and infection in your practice being significantly lessened.
What Your Work Exposure Control Plan Is, and How to Review It As a Team Annually
by Gracie Hogue
Your Work Exposure Control Plan is essentially one of the most important parts of your OSHA Manual, and it needs to be reviewed by everyone at the practice annually. Consider taking time to review the Work Exposure Control Plan as a team when you have your annual training.
The Ins and Outs of Donning and Doffing PPE
When it comes to PPE, the sequence of donning and doffing is just as important as the PPE you’re wearing. Following the proper sequence can save you time and aid our efforts in avoiding spreading infection.
Flowable Space: Setting Up an Efficient Sterilization Center
Did you know that the way your Sterilization Center is set up could save you 5+ minutes per procedure and set your practice apart in infection control? Laying out your Sterilization area efficiently puts your practice in the fast lane on the road to success. Take an honest look at your practice’s Sterilization Center and compare to the layout ideas below:
Post Exposure Management: What to Do When an Incident Occurs
by Gracie Hogue
Over the years, we’ve received quite a few phone calls with desperate and worried persons on the other end of the line telling us that there has been a needlestick incident in their practice and they have no idea what to do next. This is definitely not a fun predicament to be in, but it’s important to keep your head and take the appropriate steps to ensure that you’re following OSHA’s standards. Don’t be intimidated by the forms and the protocol. You can do this.