© 2010 delmar, cengage learning. all rights reserved. chapter 6 workplace safety laws jahangir...

© 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Chapter 6

Workplace Safety Laws

Jahangir Moini, MD, MPH, CPhT


Overview

• Many federal and state laws govern the workplace and provide for employee safety and welfare

• Pharmacies who employ fewer than 15 people are usually subject to Civil Rights Act because they are federal contractors (because they provide services to Medicare or Medicaid)


Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

• Occupational Safety and Health Act developed to maintain reporting system for job-related injuries and illnesses, and to reduce hazards in the workplace



• OSHA law affects:– Air contaminants– Eye and skin protection– Flammable and combustible liquids– Hazard communication standard



• Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 also created Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a division of the Department of Labor



• Includes regulations for:– Administrative requirements– First aid– Machinery and equipment– Materials– Physical workplace– Power sources– Processing– Protective clothing



• The Federal Register is a U.S. government publication that contains all administrative laws, and is the primary source of information for OSHA standards



• Authorized to:– Establish safety and health responsibilities and

rights– Encourage reduction of workplace hazards– Develop mandatory safety and health standards– Maintain records that monitor injuries and

illnesses


Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals Standard

• OSHA requires that risk assessments be performed in workplaces that use hazardous chemicals

• Employers must:– Inventory hazardous chemicals– Assemble material safety data sheets (MSDS)

from manufacturers– Provide employee training on hazardous

materials– Develop a chemical hygiene plan


Bloodborne Pathogens Standard

• The term bloodborne pathogen is applied to any infectious microorganism present in blood or other body fluids and tissues

• Bloodborne pathogens are one of the most significant biohazards faced by health care workers



• Bloodborne pathogens include: – Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)– Hepatitis B virus (HBV)– Hepatitis C virus (HCV)



• Pharmacy technicians should have knowledge about dangers of these pathogens

• Bloodborne Pathogens Standard protects OSHA personnel who may face potential bloodborne pathogen exposure at work



• Addresses:– Control and determination of exposure– Universal precautions– HBV vaccine– Post-exposure follow-up– Labeling and disposal of biologic wastes– Housekeeping and laundry functions– Employee training


Aseptic Technique

• Goal is to minimize contamination by pathogens

• Involves a carefully controlled, specific set of practices and procedures

• Includes the practices of:– Cleaning– Sanitizing– Disinfection


Aseptic Technique

• In the pharmacy, use is generally referred to as “medical asepsis” or “clean technique” for sterile compounding

• Mainly concerns parenteral products to decrease risk to patients


Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Under OSHA’s guidelines, PPE used to protect employees from bodily fluids

• Can prevent contamination through the skin, wounds, and mucous membranes

• Eye wash stations should be provided so workers can wash out eyes or flush mucous membranes with water in case of accidental exposure


Types of PPE

• Gowns or lab coats – worn over regular clothing

• Face shields, goggles, and masks – used when there is risk of splashing or splattering

• Gloves – used when there is possibility of hand contamination


Exposure Control Plans

• Exposure control plans should be printed so they can be readily referred to

• Per OSHA guidelines, should be updated annually

• Plans are intended to lower risks of exposure to dangerous or infectious materials, and to prevent transmission of bloodborne diseases


Exposure Control Plans

• Following hazards are listed: – Sharps– Bins or pails– Broken glassware– Laundry– Substances used for vaccinations


Focuses of Exposure Control Plans

• Types of exposure that may occur in workplace• Personal protective equipment• Housekeeping requirements for the workplace• Hepatitis B vaccines at no cost for employees• Warning labeling and training about exposure

and post-exposure• Good documentation concerning medical

records, training sessions, and on-the-job injuries


Post-exposure Procedures• Exposure at the workplace to bloodborne

pathogens and other infectious diseases should be discussed in policies and procedures manual

• Exposures should be followed up with medical evaluation of employee


Post-exposure Procedures• Immediately after exposure, clean area of

exposure with water or soap and water (if possible), and inform supervisor that you need to be evaluated and/or treated


Pharmacy Hazard Regulation

• Potential hazards in pharmacy should be addressed by a pharmacy hazard regulation standard

• OSHA will conduct free assessment of workplace upon request

• Good worker training upon hiring, and on an annual (or more frequent) schedule, can minimize pharmacy hazards


OSHA Training

• In most workplaces, safety managers or supervisors conduct OSHA training

• OSHA provides training for instructors through videos and software

• Use of warning labels and MSDS complement a safe pharmacy setting


Chemical Hygiene Plan• OSHA has set forth “laboratory standard” designed

to reduce employees’ exposures to chemicals• Chemical hygiene plan should be instituted

detailing ways each employee should handle chemicals used

• Plan should outline emergency preparedness procedures, hazardous substances, safety equipment, etc.


Fire Safety Plan• Pharmacy technicians and other employees

should be aware of procedures to follow in case of fire

• Every fire safety plan must be compliant with OSHA regulations


Fire Safety Plan

• Fire safety plans should include:– Fire alarm pull box locations – Fire extinguisher locations – Fire sprinklers– Fire prevention training– Fire drills


Electrical Safety

• Pharmacy technicians must be familiar with electricity and how it relates to the pharmacy setting

• All electrical equipment can become a fire hazard if used improperly or if in poor working condition

• Every employee should know location of the circuit breaker box for pharmacy


Radiation Safety• Radioactive waste is any waste containing or

contaminated with liquid or solid radioactive materials

• Must be clearly labeled as radioactive and never placed in incinerator, down a drain, or in public areas

• Must be removed by a licensed removal service• Radiation hazard symbols used to indicate areas

where radiation is in use


Hazard Communication Plan

• Details hazardous chemicals and substances present in the workplace

• Explains to employees the potential health risks

• Chemicals must be properly contained, sealed, and labeled


National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

• Primary advocate of fire prevention and safety• Mission is to set codes and standards, conduct

research, and provide training and education about safety from fire and other hazards

• Provides colored, numbered hazard identification symbol for every potentially hazardous chemical


Medical Waste Tracking Act

• Hospitals, laboratories, pharmacies, nursing homes, and other health care facilities generate 3.2 million tons of hazardous medical waste each year

• OSHA may, under Medical Waste Tracking Act, inspect hazardous medical wastes and cite offices for unhealthy or unsafe practices


Hazardous Medical Wastes

• 4 major types:– Solid– Chemical– Radioactive– Infectious

• Chemical wastes include germicides, cleaning solvents, and pharmaceuticals

– Can create fire or explosion in pharmacy


Disposal of Hazardous Materials and Spill Cleanup

• Containers that hold hazardous wastes must be labeled with biohazard symbol to alert employees to dangers

• Term “hazardous waste” includes substances and materials that may have been exposed to blood or bodily fluids


Other Potential Hazardous Wastes

• Gloves and other protective clothing or equipment

• Dressings and equipment from medical procedures

• Paper towels and other cleaning equipment

• Sharps (including needles, syringes, and blades)

• Microscope slides


Spill Kits• Used to properly clean up a variety of spills,

and usually contain:

– Disposable scoops and spill pads

– Eye protection and other protective equipment

– Gauze or toweling– Gloves– Gowns or coveralls and

shoe covers

– Leak- and puncture-resistant plastic containers and bags

– Absorptive powder– Respirators – Warning signs to indicate

that a spill has occurred


Spill Cleanup• Put broken fragments in containers• Absorb liquids• Clean up dry substances • Rinse the area with water, then detergent, then

water• Work from outer edges of spill moving inward• Vacuum area if required• Document every spill in an incident report and

file it


Training and Accident Report Documentation

• Each pharmacy must have written training program detailing how pharmacy technicians will be provided with information and training related to workplace hazards

• Accident reports required if accidents occur, and must contain:

– Pharmacy name and address– Pharmacy technician’s name, address, phone

number


Training and Accident Report Documentation

– Where, when, and how the accident occurred, and what was involved

– Nature of injury– Medical treatment, hospitalization, or follow-

up information


OSHA Record Keeping Regulation

• OSHA may make unannounced workplace visits, and cite or penalize employers up to $1,000 per violation

• Chemical inventories must be regularly taken, and material safety data sheets (MSDS) provided by sellers of particular products to purchasers


OSHA Record Keeping Regulation

• An MSDS is a form required for all hazardous chemicals or other substances, containing full information, ingredients, and health and safety requirements for handling and protection


Violations of OSHA

• Most common violations of OSHA include:– No eye wash facilities available at facilities

that are required to have them– No labeling (or improper labeling) or

hazardous chemicals– No MSDS for each hazardous chemical


Employee Responsibilities

• Some states follow OSHA regulations regarding employee responsibilities; other adopt their own regulations

• Employees not directly cited by OSHA when they breach the organization’s regulations


Workers’ Compensation

• Workers’ compensation laws establish procedures for compensating workers who are injured on the job, with employer paying cost of insurance premium for employee

• Allow claims for compensation to be filed with state or federal governments instead of suing


5 Types of State Compensation Benefits

• Medical treatment (hospital, medical and surgical services, medications, and prosthetic devices)

• Temporary disability indemnity (weekly cash payments)

• Death benefits for survivors (paid to dependents of employees killed while on-the-job)


5 Types of State Compensation Benefits

• Permanent disability indemnity (lump sum or weekly or monthly cash payment)

• Rehabilitation benefits (paid for vocational or medical rehabilitation)


Compensation Claims

• Injury report and compensation claim filed with correct state workers’ compensation agency, as well forms from attending or designated physician who examines and treats employee

• Pharmacy employee may be required to file physician’s report with state worker’s compensation agency


Sexual Harassment

• Anyone, man or woman, may be sexually harassed or commit sexual harassment

• Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects employees from sexual harassment on the job

• Employers must provide written policy on sexual harassment


Stopping Sexual Harassment

• Tell harasser to stop behavior

• Tell another colleague or threaten to tell another person

• Document harassment

• If no help is given from the company, seek legal advice

© 2010 delmar, cengage learning. all rights reserved. chapter 6 workplace safety laws jahangir...

Documents

cengage learning

workplace slide

employee safety

mandatory safety

health act

health standards

osha standards

health responsibilities