Without reference, identify basic facts about hospital safety practices pertaining to

biological, chemical and fire hazards with at least 70 percent accuracy.

SAFETY OBJECTIVE

Fire Behavior Fire Triangle

Items required toSupport combustion

FuelOxygenHeat

Remove any one item and the fire goes out

FIRE SAFETY

Fire Types Type A

Flammable solids Type B

Flammable liquids Type C

Energized electronics Type D

Flammable metals

FIRE SAFETY

Types of Fire Extinguishers Water

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

FIRE SAFETY

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

CHEMICAL SAFETY

Hazards• 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 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 cellsTeratogens - 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

CHEMICAL 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

Gloves• Wash hands before and after use• Disposable• Ensure no skin is exposed

BIOLOGICAL SAFETY

Protective apparel 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

BIOLOGICAL SAFETY