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Purchasing |
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Newly
purchased hazardous materials are added to the inventory.
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Purchasing policy promotes selection
of less hazardous, environmentally preferable
products.
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TRACER Staff can describe environmentally
preferable products that are in use, e.g. non-toxic or
less-toxic cleaners, mercury-free medical devices
(thermometers, blood pressure cuffs), or other hazardous
chemical alternatives. |
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Purchase
non-PVC equipment to eliminate patient risks associated with
DEHP and environmental risks associated with dioxin formation
from the incineration of PVC. |
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TRACER Staff
are trained to use less hazardous chemicals to reduce
exposures, and generate less waste. |
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- Having
fewer hazardous materials on-hand means having fewer to
manage. Purchase and track products that are are
non-toxic or less toxic, use less energy, have less waste
associated with them and are made with recycled content
materials.
- H2E:
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Top
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Handling,
labeling, and storage |
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Facility
maintains a hazardous materials inventory that lists all
hazardous chemicals used, and their locations.
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Facility
maintains an MSDS management program.
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Hazardous
materials are labeled (with name, hazard warnings, hazard
symbols, etc.), and are stored, handled, and used appropriately.
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Personal
protective equipment is available, appropriate to hazards and
maintained.
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TRACER
Staff can describe appropriate handling procedures and
personal protective equipment to be used with hazardous
material in question |
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Storage
cabinets and/or storage rooms are available for the storage of
flammable liquids and other
hazardous chemicals as appropriate.
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Personal
protective equipment is reused whenever possible (e.g.
gowns). |
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Top
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Spills |
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Spill
clean up procedures are in place in all areas
where hazardous materials are used and/or stored.
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Spill
clean up residues are managed as hazardous waste.
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Spills
are reported to local authorities and National Response
Center, if necessary.
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Spill
control and
decontamination equipment is readily
available in areas where hazardous materials are used.
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Spill
control equipment is maintained in usable condition.
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Eyewashes
and showers
(ANSI approved) are
available in
all areas where hazardous materials are routinely used and/or
stored,
and are checked regularly.
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All
employees who may be involved in spills are appropriately
trained. Spill response team members are HAZWOPER
trained.
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TRACER Staff respond appropriately to spills
of hazardous material used in patient care (e.g. mercury,
formalin,
glutaraldehyde, etc.).
(Staff competence: HR2.10.9,
Safety roles: HR2.20.2). |
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Hazardous
material elimination or minimization programs reduce the
potential for spills. Where the risk of spills is high,
consider an alternative less hazardous material, and ensure
proper training and education in that area to reduce the
overall risk of spills. |
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Hazardous
Material Spill Policy is established and
implemented.. |
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Top
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Training |
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Staff are
trained on hazards of materials used and appropriate handling
and use of protective equipment.
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Staff are
trained and competency tested in appropriate spill response
for hazardous materials and waste.
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Documentation for all training, including staff
trained, content covered, competency levels attained, and
dates of training, is kept for a minimum of 3
years. |
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TRACER Staff respond appropriately regarding
use of hazardous material used in patient care, e.g. solvents
for specimen analysis, cleaning agents for rooms, sterilants
for surgical procedures. |
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TRACER Staff respond appropriately regarding
clean up of a hazardous material spill used in patient care,
e.g. formalin, disinfectant, glutaraldehyde. |
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TRACER Staff respond appropriately regarding
disposal of hazardous material used in patient care, e.g.
solvents for specimen analysis, aerosols, cleaning agents for
rooms, sterilants for surgical procedures, drug
disposal. |
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TRACER Staff can describe elimination
and/or substitution of less hazardous materials as part of the
facility’s environmental improvement, e.g. use of biodiesel,
rechargeable batteries, energy-efficient equipment and
vehicles, mercury-free devices, ethylene oxide
elimination. |
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Mandatory
Hazard Communication Training during new employee orientation
sessions includes environmental improvement elements such as
waste prevention, using less materials, commitment to
environmental performance, etc. |
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Waste prevention
and proper waste handling requirements are included in all
employee job descriptions, according to a progressive
facility-wide policy. (This is important, particularly where
safety issues are concerned. It will also emphasize the
importance of participation in pollution prevention
commitments.) |
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Top
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More
resources |
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- Hazardous
materials are most often found in Dialysis,
Environmental Services/Housekeeping, Facilities Management,
Laboratories, Nursing Care, Nutrition Services, Oncology,
Pharmacy, Radiology, Surgery, Emergency Services and Vehicle
Maintenance.
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- New
York State Department of Environmental Conservation,
Pollution Prevention Unit:
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- Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, ISO
14001 Environmental Management System,
home
page
- US
Environmental Protection Agency
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