OMD552 Hospital Waste Management UNIT-3
OMD552 Hospital Waste Management UNIT-3
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Hazardous Substance Safety, OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, DOT Hazardous
Material Regulations, Healthcare Hazardous Materials, Medical Gas Systems, Respiratory
Protection.
3.1 INTRODUCTION P1
Healthcare organizations use a wide variety of hazardous substances, including
disinfectants, sterilizing agents, solvents, chemotherapeutic drugs, compressed gases, and
hazardous wastes. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), EPA,
Department of Transportation (DOT), and accreditation organizations, including the Joint
Commission, require healthcare organizations to properly receive, handle, manage, and
dispose of hazardous materials in an effective manner.
Reproductive Hazards
The reproductive health of women or men is damaged due to chemical, physical, or
biological hazards.
Reproductive hazard exposure can occur by inhalation, skin contact, and ingestion.
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OMD552 HOSPITAL WASTE MANAGEMENT UNIT-3
Potential health effects can include infertility, miscarriage, birth defects, and child
development.
Organizations must work to limit exposures by the use of workplace engineering
controls, proper work practices, and good hygiene practices.
Current scientific evidence suggests that chronic exposure to anesthetic gases
increases the risk of congenital abnormalities in offspring among female workers.
The “Effects of Workplace Hazards on Female Reproductive Health,” NIOSH
Publication No. 99-104, addresses exposure, prevention, and reproductive hazards for
female workers and their unborn babies.
The “Effects of Workplace Hazards on Male Reproductive Health,” NIOSH
Publication No. 96-13, identifies steps to reduce or prevent workplace exposure to
male reproductive hazards.
Chemical Properties
Chemical properties describe the reactivity of a substance with other chemicals.
Reactive substances can burn, explode, or give off hazardous vapors when mixed with
other chemicals or when exposed to air or water.
Oxidizing chemicals easily release oxygen that can fuel fires when stored near
flammable substances.
Oxidizers cause other materials to burn even though most oxidizers won’t burn
themselves.
Ensure storage is away from heat sources because warming causes oxygen release that
can create the perfect environment for a fire.
Corrosive chemicals can eat through other materials, including human skin.
Irritants such as ammonia possess corrosive characteristics that attack mucous
membranes in the nose and mouth.
Flash Points
According to NFPA 30, Class I flammable liquids possess a flash point of less than
100°F (38°C) while combustible liquids possess a flash point of 100°F (38°C) or
more.
When vapors combine with oxygen in the air, will ignite easily and burn rapidly with
explosive force.
Vapor density relates to the ratio of the weight of a volume of vapor or gas to the
weight of an equal volume of clean but dry air.
SDSs contain vapor densities for the chemical substances. Knowing the vapor density
can tell you how a vapor will act.
A vapor density<1.0 will tend to rise and spread out.
A vapor density of 1.0 or more will tend to sink to the lowest point on the ground and
find ignition sources such as chemicals with high vapor densities particularly
dangerous.
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EG: Consider an ignition source that causes something to burn. Common ignition
sources include sparks from tools and equipment; open flames such as torches,
smoking materials, and pilot lights, hot particles and hot surfaces such as electric
coils.
Flowing liquid chemical creates static electricity. Grounding ensures that an
electrical charge goes to the ground rather than building up on the drum of
flammable or combustible material.
Bonding refers to a process that equalizes the electrical charge between the drum and
the transfer container.
This prevents the buildup of electrical charges on one of the containers.
Ignition temperature refers to the minimum temperature at which a chemical will
burn and continue burning without the need for an ignition source.
Difference between flammable and explosive refers to combustion or the speed at
which a material burns. A fire results from a rapid release of energy. An explosion
occurs when an instantaneous release of energy involves an extremely rapid rate of
combustion.
Airborne Exposure
An exposure of an individual relates directly to the concentration of a hazardous
substance as related to the per-unit volume of air.
Express airborne concentrations in terms of milligrams of substance per cubic meter
of air (mg/m3) or parts of substance per million parts of air (ppm).
OSHA requires consideration of feasible administrative or engineering controls to
reduce exposure risks.
When these controls prove ineffective, organizations must use PPE or other protective
measures to protect employees.
Ensure that the use of any equipment and/or technical measures receive approval from
a competent industrial hygienist or other technically qualified person.
Substituting the exposure values into the formula achieves the following results:
E (m) = 500 divided by 1000 + 45 divided by 200 + 40 divided by
200
E (m) = 0.500 + 0.225 + 0.200
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E (m) = 0.925
Since E (m) is less than the unity (1), the exposure combination is within acceptable limits. If
the value exceeds one (1), consider the exposure as above the acceptable limit.
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The preparer determined the method to convey the information. The revised
standard specifies what information to provide for each hazard class and category.
The revised standard requires the printing of all red borders on the label with a
symbol printed inside.
Chemical manufacturers, importers, distributors, or employers who become aware of
any significant information regarding the hazards of a chemical must revise labels
within 6 months of becoming aware of the new information.
Employers can label workplace containers with the same label affixed to the shipped
containers. Employers can also use label alternatives, including those described in
NFPA704, Hazard Rating and the Hazardous Material Information System.
However, the information supplied on alternative labels must meet the requirements
of the revised standard with no conflicting hazard warnings or pictograms.
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Employee Training
The OSHA HCS (29 CFR 1910.1200) requires employers to provide employees
information and training on hazardous chemicals used in their work areas.
Employers must conduct training at the time of their initial assignment and upon the
introduction of a new hazardous substance.
Training must address the methods and observations used to detect the presence or
release of the chemical.
It must also address physical and health hazards, protective measures, labeling, and an
explanation of the SDS.
Employers must inform employees of the hazards of non-routine tasks and the hazards
associated with chemicals in unlabeled pipes.
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The Hazardous Materials Table located in 49 CFR 172.101 provides the initial step
toward understanding how to ship a product.
This table provides the proper shipping name (PSN), hazard class, UN identification
numbers, and labels and packaging types necessary. Locate the PSN from the
alphabetically arranged Hazardous Materials Table
Identify the contents of a shipment using shipping papers, markings, labeling, and placard
information.
Refer to the Hazardous Materials Table (49 CFR 172.101). A marking can include
handwritten or a preprinted self-adhesive label containing required information such as
PSN, the United Nations/North American (UN/NA) identification number, and the
consignees or consignor’s name and address (49 CFR 172.300). Labeling using a 4ʺ × 4ʺ
square-on-point label helps visibly identify a hazardous materials package.
Consider shipping labels as specific to the hazard classes of materials with strict
specifications for setup, including color, size, and wording, as well as placement on a
package (49 CFR 172.400–172.450).
The Hazardous Materials Table contains a label column referencing the label for the
specific chemical by the hazard class.
A label chart that shows hazard class or division and the associated label plus the section
reference can be found in 49 CFR 172.400(b).
When using two labels, the less hazardous of the two is a secondary hazard. This
secondary hazard must contain labeling that meets the requirements of 49 CFR 173.402.
Use Special Precautions Labels such as Empty or Cargo Aircraft Only if required. OSHA
standard 29 CFR 1910.1201 requires original DOT labels to remain on vehicles, tanks,
and containers until removal or transfer of labeled substances.
Placards
Depending on the type and quantity of a shipment, placarding completes the
identification process.
Larger than labels, placards measure 10¾ʺ × 10¾ʺ but retain a similar square-on-point
design.
Placards deal with a specific hazard class of materials. DOT requires strict specifications
for color, size and wording, and placement on a shipping vehicle (49 CFR
172.500.172.560).
Two tables help determine the requirement for placards (49 CFR 172.504).
DOT requires placards for secondary hazards (49 CFR172.519).
Containers
Determining the applicable container for shipping a hazardous material depends on the
UN identification code on the drum.
For more information regarding containers, refer to 49 CFR178.
Workers should wear splash goggles and chemical protective gloves made of butyl.
Acryl Amide
It is a resin usually found in research labs to make gels for biochemical separations.
It can cause eye and skin irritation.
Long-term exposure could result in central nervous system disorders.
Ammonia
Ammonia is used as a liquid cleaning agent and as a refrigerant gas.
Concentrated solutions of ammonia can cause severe burns.
Workers should avoid skin contact with ammonia by wearing protective clothing.
Provide adequate ventilation in areas where ammonia gas is released from concentrated
solutions.
Asbestos
Airborne fibers that cause health damage may be too small to see with the eye.
Inhaling these airborne asbestos fibers can cause asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung
cancer.
OSHA regulations require surveillance and record-keeping for workers significantly
exposed to asbestos.
Asbestos is found during routine maintenance activities, renovation projects, and
demolition for new construction.
Workers should work in a sealed environment using appropriate PPE.
Periodic air sampling, piping and tiles containing asbestos can also exposure risks.
Maintenance workers and facility engineers can be unknowingly exposed to asbestos
from many possible areas and sources.
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EPA Standards
EPA Asbestos-In-Schools Rule (40 CFR Part 763 Subpart E) requires schools to inspect
buildings for asbestos and prevent exposure worker/occupant exposure.
EPA National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP 40 CFR
61Subpart M) requires removal of asbestos before demolition removal and waste
disposal.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide (CO), a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas, is slightly lighter than air.
It is sometimes called carbonic oxide, exhaust gas, or flue gas.
Sources include laboratories, equipment rooms, boilers, and emergency generators.
CO in excess can cause of death in fires, coma and death.
High concentrations will displace enough oxygen in your body, resulting in oxygen
starvation.
Symptoms of low-level CO poisoning include headaches, nausea, weakness, dizziness,
and confusion.
Chlorine compounds
Chlorine is commonly used for sanitizing counter and tabletop surfaces.
Household bleach commonly used as a disinfecting solution, water tanks cleaning.
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Iodine
Iodine works as a general disinfectant and can be used with alcohol for use as a skin
antiseptic or with other substances for general disinfecting purposes.
Exposure can include irritation of the eyes, .headaches and breathing difficulties.
Crystalline iodine or strong solutions of iodine may cause severe skin irritation.
Isopropyl alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol, used as antiseptic and disinfectant.
It is used to disinfect thermometers, needles, anesthesia equipment, and other
instruments.
The odor of isopropyl alcohol may be detected at concentrations of 40–200 ppm.
Exposure to isopropyl alcohol can cause irritation of the eyes and mucous membranes.
Contact with the liquid may also cause skin rashes.
Workers should use appropriate protective PPE.
Splash-proof safety goggles should also be provided and required for use where isopropyl
alcohol may contact the eyes.
Mercury
Mercury can be found in some pressure-sensing instruments such as barometers and
sensors in mechanical rooms.
It can also be found in laboratories and some physical plant instruments and switches.
Methyl methacrylate
Methyl methacrylate is used in the fields of medicine and dentistry to make prosthetic
devices and as a ceramic filler or cement.
It is an acrylic cement–like substance used to secure prostheses to bone during orthopedic
surgery.
Exposure usually occurs during mixing, preparation, and in the operating room.
Symptoms from overexposure can include coughing, chest pain, headache, drowsiness,
nausea, anorexia, irritability, and narcosis.
Dental technicians using bare hands with methyl methacrylate molding putty developed
changes in the nerve impulse transmission in the fingers.
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Repeated skin exposures may cause tingling or prickling sensation of the skin.
Persons with preexisting skin disorders or eye problems, or impaired liver, kidney, or
respiratory function may be more susceptible to the effects of the substance.
OSHA recommends mixing in a closed system, if possible.
Peracetic acid
Peracetic acid is a powerful sterilant with a sharp, pungent odor.
At higher concentrations (1%), it can promote tumors in mouse skin.
Minimize odor and toxicity concerns containing the peracetic acid within the closed
machine.
Peracetic acid is used to sterilize the surfaces of medical instruments and may be found in
laboratories, central supply, and patient care units.
It is a strong skin, eye, and mucous membrane irritant. Currently, no standards exist for
regulating exposures to peracetic acid.
Pesticides
The EPA considers insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, disinfectants, rodenticides, and
animal repellents as pesticides.
OSHA considers pesticides as hazardous substances under the OSHA HCS. EPA
regulates pesticides under their FIFRA regulations.
All pesticides sold in the United States must carry an EPA registration number. Consider
these registered substances as safe and effective when used according to directions.
Pesticides labeled DANGER—POISON indicates highly toxic substances. If inhaled,
ingested, or left on the skin, they may be lethal.
All workers handling, loading, mixing, or applying pesticides fall under the EPA Worker
Protection Standards.
This standard affects all forestry, greenhouse, and nursery workers who perform hand
labor in pesticide-treated fields. Some pesticide products require verbal warnings and
posted warning signs.
Phenol Substances
Phenol solutions can prove effective for a wide range of bacteria.
Some phenolic substances may also be used for intermediate-level disinfection when
effective against TB.
Phenol may be detected by odor at a concentration of about 0.05 ppm.
Serious health effects may follow exposure to phenol through skin adsorption, inhalation,
or ingestion.
The OSHA PEL for phenol is 5 ppm for an 8 h TWA skin exposure.
Workers exposed to phenol should wash their hands thoroughly before eating, smoking,
or using toilet facilities.
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Solvents
Most solvents remove the natural fats and oils from the skin and may be absorbed.
Organic solvents pose flammability hazards.
Safety personnel must properly store solvents in approved safety containers.
Local exhaust ventilation and enclosure of solvent vapor sources should be used to
control laboratory exposures.
When selecting engineering and other controls, safety personnel must consider both
toxicity and flammability risks.
Toluene and xylene used in laboratories can cause eye and respiratory irritation resulting
from exposure to liquid and vapor forms.
Other exposure symptoms include abdominal pains, nausea, and vomiting, and possible
loss of consciousness could occur if ingested in large amounts.
Toluene must be stored to avoid contact with strong oxidizers such as chlorine, bromine,
and fluorine.
Xylene can also be found in some maintenance departments and clinical labs.
Ethyl alcohol
Many healthcare facilities use 70% ethyl alcohol as a topical application in local skin
disinfection.
Consider ethyl alcohol as flammable in all dilutions where vapor may come in contact
with an ignition source.
The flash point of a 70% solution is approximately 70°F.
Ethyl alcohol can enhance the drying of the skin.
Take care when using to avoid dermatitis.
Make disposal after thoroughly diluting with water and only in an area with adequate
ventilation.
Glutaraldehyde
Use glutaraldehyde to disinfect and clean heat-sensitive medical, surgical, and dental
equipment.
Glutaraldehyde solutions serve as a tissue fixative in histology and pathology labs.
Absorption may occur by inhalation, dermal contact, or ingestion.
Glutaraldehyde is used to disinfect and clean heat-sensitive equipment such as dialysis
instruments, surgical instruments, suction bottles, bronchoscopes, and endoscopes.
It works well to disinfect ear, nose, and throat instruments.
The colorless and oily substance gives off a pungent odor.
Hospital workers use it most often in a diluted form mixed with water or in a
commercially prepared product.
OSHA does not currently publish a PEL for glutaraldehyde.
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Other Requirements
Doors or gates to enclosures for the gas supply systems will be locked.
Enclosures for gas supply systems will not be used for storage purposes other than for
cylinders containing the nonflammable gases that are to be distributed through the
pipeline.
Storage of empty cylinders disconnected from the supply equipment is permissible.
Empty cylinders will be segregated and identified.
Cylinders not in use will be capped and secured in a vertical position by a chain or
similar device.
Cylinders connected to a manifold will also be secured. Plumbing (tubing and so forth) to
the manifold will not suffice for this purpose.
Smoking is prohibited in the gas supply system enclosure. No Smoking signs will be
posted.
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During the clinical administration of inhaled anesthetics indicate that waste gases can
escape into the room air from various components of the anesthesia delivery system.
Potential leak sources include tank valves; high- and low-pressure machine connections;
connections in the breathing circuit, defects in rubber and plastic tubing, hoses, reservoir
bags, and ventilator bellows; and the connector.
In addition, selected anesthesia techniques and improper practices such as leaving gas
flow control valves open and vaporizers on after use, spillage of liquid- inhaled
anesthetics, and poorly fitting face masks or improperly inflated tracheal tube and
laryngeal mask airway cuffs also can contribute to the escape of waste anesthetic gases
into the surgical area atmosphere.
OSHA does not publish exposure limits regulating halogenated agents. NIOSH issues
RELs for both nitrous oxide and halogenated agents.
Scavenging P8
Scavenging is the process of collecting and disposing of waste anesthetic gases and
vapors from breathing systems at the site of overflow.
It is carried out to protect operating room personnel by preventing the dispersal of
anesthetic gases into the room air.
A scavenging system consists of two key components.
The first is a collecting device or scavenging adapter to collect waste gases, and the
second is a disposal route to carry gases from the room.
This document includes techniques for scavenging, maintaining equipment, monitoring
air, and minimizing leakage while administering anesthesia.
Persons responsible for health and safety in the hospital surgical department should be
aware of the availability of new products and new information on familiar products
Nitric Acid
Nitric oxide was approved by the FDA for use as a vasodilator in the treatment of
hypoxic respiratory failure in full- and near-term infants.
It is a colorless and essentially odorless gas
Acute exposure effects include mucous membrane irritation and drowsiness.
More serious effects include delayed pulmonary toxicity and damage to the central
nervous system effects.
OSHA classifies nitric oxide as a highly hazardous substance.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide (N2O), a clear, colorless, and oxidizing liquefied gas, possesses a slightly
sweet odor.
The product remains stable and inert at room temperature.
While classified by the DOT as a non- flammable gas, nitrous oxide will support
combustion and can deteriorate at temperatures in excess of 1202°F.
Nitrous oxide is blended with oxygen when used in anesthesia applications.
The painkilling and numbing qualities of inhaled nitrous oxide begin to take effect at
concentrations of 10%.
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Types of Respirators
Air-purifying respirators come in either full-face or half-mask versions.
These types of respirators use a mechanical or chemical cartridge to filter dust, mists,
fumes, vapors, or gaseous substances.
Only use disposable air-purifying respirators once or until the cartridge expires.
These respirators contain permanent cartridges with no replaceable parts.
Reusable air-purifying respirators use both replaceable cartridges and parts.
The replaceable cartridges and parts must come from the same manufacturer
Disposable or reusable air-purifying respirators contain no replaceable parts except
cartridges.
Gas masks designed for slightly higher concentrations of organic vapors, gases, dusts,
mists, or fumes use a volume of sorbent much higher than a chemical cartridge.
Powered air-purifying respirators use a blower to pass the contaminated air through a
filter. The purified air then enters into a mask or hood.
They filter dusts, mists, fumes, vapors, or gases like other air-purifying respirators. Never
use air-purifying respirators in any oxygen- deficient atmosphere.
SAR (supplied-air respirator) provide the highest level of protection against highly toxic
and unknown materials.
Supplied air refers to self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs) and airline
respirators.
Airline respirators contain an air hose connected to a fresh air supply from a central
source. The source comes from a compressed air cylinder or air compressor that provides
breathable air.
Emergency Escape Breathing Apparatuses provide oxygen for short periods of times such
as 5 or 10 min depending on the unit.
Determine the correct cartridge for air-purifying respirators by contacting a respirator
professional or referring to the SDS of the substance needing filtering.
Cartridges use a color scheme designating the contaminant needing filtering.
The proper selection and use of a respirator depends upon an initial determination of the
concentration of the hazard or hazards present in the workplace or area with an oxygen-
deficient atmosphere.
Use a full-face piece pressure demand SCBA or a combination full-face piece pressure
demand (SAR) for dangerous atmospheres.
Respirator selection requires matching the respirator with the degree of hazard and needs
of the user.
OSHA requires employers to ensure the medical fitness of individuals that must wear
respirators.
The fitness evaluation considers the physical and psychological stress imposed by the
respirator. It must also evaluate the stress originating from job performance.
Employers must ensure that employees pass the evaluation prior to fit testing or
permitting the use of the respirator for the first time.
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PART-A
1. List out the ways the hazardous materials cause exposures to human?
Exposures to hazardous materials can cause stress on the body if inhaled, absorbed, or
ingested, concentration, duration of exposure, route of exposure, physical and
chemical properties.
Other chemicals, physical agents, and the general health of the person exposed can
influence the effects exerted by a hazardous substance.
2. What are the ways the reproductive health of humans are damaged?
The reproductive health of women or men is damaged due to chemical, physical, or
biological hazards.
6. Define pictogram?
This method uses a symbol plus other graphic elements, such as a border, background
pattern, or color to convey specific information about the hazards of a chemical.
Each pictogram consists of a different symbol on a white background within a red
square frame set on a point (a red diamond).
The system requires the use of nine pictograms. However, OSHA requires the use of
only eight pictograms under the revised standard.
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This standard affects all forestry, greenhouse, and nursery workers who perform hand
labor in pesticide-treated fields. Some pesticide products require verbal warnings and
posted warning signs.
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PART-B
1. List at least five issues to consider when evaluating hazardous material risks.
2. How does OSHA define a hazardous substance?
3. What does the EPA add to the OSHA definition?
4. How does the DOT define a hazardous substance?
5. Define the following acronyms:
a. PEL
b. STEL
c. REL
d. TLV
6. Explain in your own words the purpose of the OSHA Additive Formula found at 29 CFR
1910.1000.
7. List the seven elements required by OSHA in an organization’s respirator plan.
8. Describe the following respirators:
a. Air-purifying respirator
b. Supplied-air respirator
c. Self-contained breathing
9. Explain the difference between quantitative fit testing (QNFT) and a qualitative fit testing
(QLFT) of a respirator.
10. List at least five physical properties of a chemical substance.
11. Define the following terms:
a. Vapor
b. Vapor density
c. Flash point
d. Ignition source
e. Grounding
f. Bonding
12. What two organizations work to publish consensus eyewash and shower standards?
13. List at least four of the basic requirements for eyewash and shower facilities.
14. What is the foundational consideration when storing hazardous substances?
15. In your own words, explain the impact of GHS requirements on the OSHA HAZCOM
standard.
16. List and describe the elements in the new GHS labeling system.
17. List at least five HAZCOM training topics mandated by OSHA.
18. List the nine primary DOT hazard classes.
19. Which federal agency regulates pesticides including registered disinfectants?
20. Define the following EPA terms:
a. Ignitable solid waste
b. Universal waste
c. Medical waste
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