College of Health Professions Safety Manual

ARMSTRONG ATLANTIC STATE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS

SAFETY MANUAL

CURRENT TO JUNE 2005

Table of Contents

I. Introduction.............................................................................................................. 3

II. Regulatory Agencies................................................................................................ 5

1. Federal

2. State

3. Local

III. Laboratory Hazards and Safety Precautions............................................................. 6

1. Chemical

2. Electrical

3. Physical

Gases

Radiation

Respiratory

Noise

4. Biological

IV. Fire Safety/Evacuation............................................................................................. 9

V. Disruption.............................................................................................................. 11

1. Terror activity

2. Infection Control

VI. First Aid & Emergency Safety............................................................................... 13

1. Human Resources

2. Workman's Compensation

VII. Accidents and Prevention....................................................................................... 16

VIII. Waste Management................................................................................................ 18

IX. References.............................................................................................................. 19

I. Introduction

A REMINDER ABOUT SAFETY

YOU - are the only one who can practice safe procedures for your own protection and that of your fellow workers.
YOU - have the responsibility to:
BE AWARE OF SAFETY HAZARDS
FOLLOW POLICIES AND PROCEDURES DESIGNED TO HELP PROTECT YOU
TO REPORT ALL INCIDENTS OR ACCIDENTS SO THAT STEPS MAY BE TAKEN TO PREVENT RECURRENCE
WE - have the responsibility for providing as safe working conditions as possible for you.
WE - have the responsibility for educating you as fully as possible to the potential hazards and of precautionary measures.
WE - have the responsibility of enforcing policies for safe practices. This manual is part of the effort.
SO, BE CAREFUL, FOR YOUR SAKE AND OURS

IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Campus Security......................................................................................... 921-5555

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms................................................................. 652-4257

Chatham County, all emergencies........................................................................ 911

Chatham County Narcotics Team Drug Hotline/Chemical Spills........ 800-424-8802

OSHA, Savannah Office................................................................. 800-321-OSHA

Armstrong Plant Operations....................................................................... 927-5329

Homeland Security..................................................................................... 652-4648

Human Resources....................................................................................... 927-5267

Student Affairs (Accident Reports)............................................................ 927-5271

Poison Control.................................................................................... 800-282-5846

Savannah Gas Company............................................................................. 238-2166

Savannah Electric and Power Company..................................................... 232-8133

Southside Fire Department................................................................................... 911

American Heart Association....................................................................... 355-0233

American Red Cross................................................................................... 651-9900

II. Regulatory Agencies

Although many agencies have some authority in occupational safety and health, clearly the agency (a) primarily charged with monitoring and maintaining occupational safety, and (b) that provides the most salient guidance and support in which to ensure the safety and health of all employees, faculty, and students is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), established in 1970 within the Labor Department.

Students must be aware of OSHA policies concerning standard precautions, "Right to Know" policies, and handling of hazardous materials.

General Responsibilities of OSHA

OSHA's responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

· encourages employers and employees to reduce hazards in the workplace;

· establishes responsibilities for employers and employees to improve safety and health conditions;

· maintaining safety recording and record-keeping procedures;

· develops and enforces mandatory job safety and health standards;

· encourages the states to assume responsibilities for establishing and administering their own occupational safety and health programs;

· monitors federal agency safety programs and receives and annual report from each agency about its job safety and health efforts;

· imposes emergency temporary standards when workers are in danger due to exposure to new toxic substances or hazards;

· provides free on-site consultation services to small business to assist them in meeting OSHA standards.

Students in clinical rotations are expected to adhere to the institutions' safety policies and should be aware of federal, state, and local regulations, even though not applicable to College laboratories.

Federal Level

In fields related to medicine, the federal branch of OSHA is charged with six duties.

State and Local Levels

At the state and local levels, OSHA encourages but does not force states to develop their own occupational safety and health programs. State agencies are considered very effective and often take precedence and control operations of that state's occupational and health procedures, though receiving up to 50 percent of their funding from the federal agency. That is, state agencies typically have much control over legislative, administrative, regulatory and procedural processes regarding occupational safety and health in their respective states.

The College of Health Professions at Armstrong Atlantic State University recognizes the authority of OSHA and the importance of strictly adhering to OSHA regulations in order to safeguard the health of all faculty and students. Thus, College policy requires that all faculty and students be both aware of and follow OSHA guidelines, as they apply to individual laboratory situations, to their fullest extent.

Organization

For more information, you may contact the following:

Federal: www.OSHA.gov

Regional and State: Atlanta Regional Office & Dept of Labor, OSHA

1375 Peachtree Street, N.W., Suite 587

Atlanta, GA 30367 404-347-3573

Local: Dept. of Labor, OSHA

450 Mall Boulevard

Savannah, GA 31406

III. HAZARDS

A. Chemical Hazards

Students should be aware that solid, liquids, or gases may enter the body by breathing, swallowing, or through the skin. Chemicals can enter the fetus of a pregnant woman/ through the mother's blood. Harmful effects depend on the type of the chemical, its strength, and the length of exposure.

*Pregnant students must inform their respective faculty/department head before laboratory or clinical activities begin.

Airborne chemical hazards include aerosols, dust, mists, fumes, vapors, and gases. These usually enter the body by breathing, skin absorption, or by swallowing contaminated food, drink, or tobacco products.

Remember that some airborne chemicals may also be fire or explosive hazards, including flammable gases, mists, and vapors of flammable liquids, aerosols of organic dusts (coal, grain, and sugar) and some metal dusts (aluminum and magnesium).

B. Electrical Hazards

Students should not connect or disconnect any electrical equipment unless under the supervision of a faculty member. In the event a student notices any potential electrical hazard (i.e., malfunctioning equipment, frayed cord, faulty outlet, etc.) a faculty member should be notified immediately.

According to the Savannah Electric Company the following rules should be observed when using electrical tools and equipment:

1. Don't use any electrical tool or equipment in the rain or on wet surfaces, or while standing in water.

2. Make sure your hands are dry when you use any electric tool or equipment.

3. Make sure all electric tools have 3-pronged plugs, or are double insulated.

4. Use only extension cords approved for outdoors. Use one long cord instead of several shorter lengths. Prevent tools or other equipment from cutting or damaging them.

5. Never use indoor equipment outside.

6. Always unplug the tool or equipment you're using before making any adjustments or repairs.

7. Make sure tools are properly maintained and cords are in good condition.

8. Make sure wiring can handle any increased electrical load - call your electrician or electric utility.

9. Make sure outlet plates are screwed securely into the wall.

In the event of an electrical emergency:

1. Fallen wire: Don't touch or go near the wire. Don't touch anything that the wire touches. Have someone call the power company immediately.

2. Damaged equipment: If you see worn wires, or sparks or smoke from electrical equipment, or if an appliance doesn't work correctly, don't fool around with it. Have someone shut off the power at its source.

3. Electrical fire: If you see smoke coming from wires, electric motors, etc., have someone shut off the power and call the fire department or electric company. Never throw water on an electrical fire.

C. Physical Hazards

1. Gas

Students should be aware of the properties of any gas with which they are working. Appropriate precautions will be established by the supervising faculty member. In the event the student is working with a combustible gas, they should avoid smoking or other exposure to flames.

a. According to the Savannah Gas Company the following procedure should be followed if you smell gas:

Investigate. If possible "follow your nose" to the source. It may be only a pilot light that's out, or a burner valve partially turned on . . .something easily and safely corrected. If the source of the gas cannot be located or if the odor persists, call Plant Operations.

b. If you small a gas odor rising intensely, or it seems to be everywhere:

· Outdoors - call the Savannah Gas Company immediately (238-2166).

· Indoors - leave the premises immediately. Don't light a match or switch anything on or off. Call Plant Operations and the Savannah Gas Company as soon as you are out of the area.

· When working with cylinders, the following rules should be followed:

o Cylinder valves shall be inspected for safe and easy operation and proper pin indexing.

o Cylinders shall be checked for damage, moisture, and foreign odors.

c. In order to prevent explosion, the following procedures should be followed in the storage and handling of compressed gases. These requirements refer to storage of flammable medical gases and piping systems for nonflammable medical gases.

· Storage of gases should be systematic and shall be segregated from areas of storage of other medical equipment.

· Separate cylinder or manifold enclosures shall be provided for flammable gases and for oxidizing gases. All storage rooms or manifold enclosures for medical gases in excess of 1,500 cubic feet shall be vented to the outside.

· Provisions shall be made for racks to protect cylinders from damage and to prevent injury.

· The storage area should have a conductive flooring and a fireproof light with proper ventilation.

· Don't store cylinders in open sunlight or near flames.

· Do not allow cylinders to reach temperatures greater than 125 degrees F.

2. Noise

If a student is working in an area of high noise level, protective ear plugs should be worn. If the student is unsure of the necessity for this type of equipment, the supervising faculty member should be contacted.

3. Radiation

Radiation exposure should be avoided whenever possible or minimized when unavoidable. Students who have potential for radiation exposure in excess of federal guidelines should be issued a film badge to monitor their exposure. A fetal film badge in addition to the regular film badge with the date of conception should be worn during the pre-natal period. Pregnant students must wear a lead apron when working with radiation.

4. Respiratory

When working with aerosolized materials, the student should wear a filtration mask for their protection. If a student is exposed to noxious fumes, they should seek fresh air and medical attention if appropriate.

IV. FIRE SAFETY

FIRE: A rapid, persistent chemical reaction releasing heat & light which may cause someone or something to ignite.

1. IN CASE OF FIRE:

* Activate Building Fire Alarm so that building will be evacuated.

* Call 911 and notify FIRE and the location.

* Notify Campus Police - 5555

Report exact location of fire.

* Use nearest fire extinguisher if the fire can be extinguished without endangering yourself or others.

2. IF A FIRE ALARM IS SOUNDED, DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR UNTIL YOU HAVE:

* Checked for smoke seepage around the door cracks.

* Felt the inside door surface. If it is hot, DO NOT OPEN!

* If the door seems cool cautiously open it with your body braced against it while one hand is on the knob hold one hand over the door opening to detect any blast or in-rushing hot air.

* If it is safe, close all doors and windows behind you, and proceed rapidly to a clear exit.

3. IF YOUR DOOR IS HOT, DO NOT OPEN IT. INSTEAD:

* Seal up the cracks around the door using sheets, pieces of clothing or whatever is handy. This can hold back killing heat and smoke.

* OPEN the windows SLIGHTLY, as this will let in fresh air and let out bad air.

* DO NOT break the window glass. The sudden surge of air will invite smoke and fumes.

* Hang a sheet out the window to signal rescuers.

4. IF YOU ARE TRYING TO ESCAPE THROUGH A SMOKE-FILLED ROOM OR CORRIDOR, PROCEED AS FOLLOWS:

* Place a wet towel or cloth (if available) over your head and

face. Breathe through the wet towel to filter the smoke.

* Take short breaths. Avoid gulping large lungs full of smoke.

* Cover your body with something that can be easily discarded if

it catches fire. ex: blanket

* Heat & smoke rises and fire gasses settle to the floor, so

move quickly in a crouching position to the nearest clear exit * Do not use elevators. Use available stairways.

5. FOLLOW EVACUATION PLAN ESTABLISHED FOR YOUR BUILDING (SEE APPENDIX).

6. ALWAYS REMAIN CALM.

7. NEVER RE - ENTER A BURNING BUILDING.

8. FIRE FIRST AID

If burned from a fire, seek medical attention immediately. Call 911 or transport person to St. Joseph's Medical Emergency - immediately. For minor burns from- fire, rinse area immediately with cold water.

9. FIRE PROTECTION

Students working with fire in laboratory settings must follow the fire protection guidelines located in each laboratory.

10. FIRE PREVENTION

Annual school and departmental fire drills should be conducted, including instruction in the use of protective equipment.

11. YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES IN A FIRE

1. Be alert. Your safety depends mostly on your own attitude and actions.

2. Leave the building immediately when a fire alarm sounds. Failure to do so may result in personal injury.

3. Report immediately to Plant Operations (5329) any defective or missing fire protection and safety equipment and any fire extinguisher which has been discharged or damaged.

4. Do not sound an alarm unless there is a real cause.

5. Be aware. The following are serious violations:

A. False alarms

* cause building occupants to ignore genuine alarms

* may lead to fatalities

* can lead to serious criminal charges and civil liabilities

B. Arson

* setting fires is a criminal offense

C. Tampering with or misuse of fire equipment

* Tampering or misuse is a violation of policy and is strictly prohibited.

* civil action may be initiated.

12. FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

Fire extinguishers should be used only after you sound the alarm and call for emergency assistance. Don't expose yourself to heavy smoke. The toxic gases in smoke can render you unconscious in a few seconds. Fire extinguishers are designed for the types of fire they are effective in controlling. You should familiarize yourself with the fire for which they should be used. Some fire extinguishers may be used for all types of fires. A common designation for fire types uses the letters A. B. C. and D. READ THE LABELS!

13. FIRE EXTINGUISHER DIRECTIONS

1. PULL - Pull the pin or release the lock latch, or press a puncture lever, or follow directions.

2. AIM - Aim the extinguisher nozzle horn, or hose at the base of the fire.

3. SQUEEZE - Squeeze or press the handle.

4. SWEEP - Sweep from side to side at the base of the fire until it goes out. Shut off the extinguisher if necessary. Foam and water extinguishers require slightly different action. Always read the instructions.

Contents of extinguishers are expended in seconds. If at first you don't succeed, leave. Be sure an alarm has been sounded.

V. DISRUPTION

1. Terror Activity

2. Infection Control

STANDARD PRE-CAUCTIONS AND INFECTION CONTROL

In August 1987, CDC published a document entitled "Recommendations for Prevention of HIV Transmission in Health-Care Settings". The document recommended that blood and body fluid precautions be consistently used for all patients regardless of their bloodborne infection status. This extension of blood and body fluid precautions to all patients is referred to as "Universal Blood and Body Fluid Precautions" or Universal Precautions." Under stand precautions, blood and certain body fluids of all patients are considered potentially infectious for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and other bloodborne pathogens.

Standard precautions are intended to prevent parenteral, mucous membrane, and non-intact skin exposures of health-care workers to bloodborne pathogens. Immunization with HBV vaccine is recommended as an important adjunct to standard precautions for health-care workers who have exposures to blood.

Stand precautions apply to blood and to other body fluids containing visible blood. Universal precautions also apply to semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), synovial fluid, pleural fluid, peritoneal fluid, pericardial fluid, and amniotic fluid.

Standard precautions do not apply to feces, nasal secretions, sputum, sweat, tears, urine, and vomitus unless they contain visible blood.

Personal protective equipment reduce the risk or exposure of the health-care worker's skin or mucous membranes to potentially infective materials. For standard precautions, protective barriers reduce the risk of exposure to blood, body fluids containing visible blood, and risk of exposure to blood, body fluids containing visible blood, and risk of exposure to blood, body fluids containing visible blood, and other fluids to which standard precautions apply. Examples of personal protective equipment include gloves, gowns, masks, and protective eyewear. Standard precautions are intended to supplement rather than replace recommendations for routine infection control, such as handwashing and using gloves to prevent gross microbial contamination of hands.

Gloves should reduce the incidence of contamination of hands, but they cannot prevent penetrating injuries due to needles or other sharp instruments. The CDC recommends that laboratory personnel wear gloves when handling/processing blood and body fluids. Gloves should be discarded in biological hazard bags. Gloves must be worn at all times if hands have cuts, scratches or any other breaks in skin.

In the event of allergy to latex, vinyl, or nitrite gloves must be worn.

1. Hand washing

You should wash your hands with designated antibacterial soap and water:

a. after visible contamination of hands or gloves with blood and/or body fluids

b. after each lab session

c. after removing gloves

d. before any contact with mucous membranes, eyes or breaks in the skin

e. whenever you leave the laboratory

2. College of Health Professions Significant Exposure Policy

The Armstrong Atlantic State University College of Health Professions has policies dealing with infection control. Students are required to follow these policies, which are available in each department.

a. Definitions of Significant Exposure Occurrence

· Contaminated Exposure - of any obviously open wound to blood, saliva, and/or other body fluid. (Exposure to a patient's body fluids on unbroken skin is not considered significant.)

· Contaminated needle stick - puncture of the skin with a needle contaminated by blood, saliva, and/or other body fluid.

· Contaminated puncture wound - breaking of the skin from a sharp instrument contaminated by blood, saliva and/or other body fluid.

b. Action

It is a significant exposure occurs in the laboratory/clinic, contact your faculty in charge immediately. You will be required to follow a protocol for exposures. Exposed and source individuals must receive blood titre and counseling as soon as possible . . . preferably within forty-eight (48) hours. To expedite (possible) post exposure prophylaxis treatment, the exposed individual must receive regime with four (4) hours after the exposure. Faculty (or supervisor) must complete an AASU Accident Report and pertinent significant exposure data prior to sending individuals for blood tests.

VI. FIRST AID AND EMERGENCY SAFETY

First aid: giving emergency assistance to people who have been injured or are seriously ill until an ambulance arrives.

Emergency: an unexpected serious occurrence that requires immediate medical attention.

* calm yourself. This helps you think of something!

* check for anything "life threatening" - is she breathing, heart stopped, or is she bleeding.

* if you know CPR, as a quick reminder:

a. Airway

b. Breathing

c. Circulation

A Establish unresponsiveness. If the victim is

I unresponsive, call 911, turn victim on back, and then

R open airway using head tilt/chin lift.

A Check breathing (look, listen, feel)

Y If the victim is unresponsive and breathing and has no evidence of trauma, place on his or her side in recovery position.

B If victim is not breathing, begin rescue breathing.

E Give 2 slow breaths.

T If airway is blocked, reposition head and try again to

H give breaths.

N If still blocked, perform the Heimlich maneuver.

C Check carotid pulse.

R If victim has no pulse, begin chest compressions.

U Depress sternum 1 - 2 inches

A Perform 15 compressions (rate: 80-100 per minute)

T followed by 2 slow breaths.

O After 4 cycles, check pulse. If there is no pulse,

N continue cycles beginning with chest compressions.

Continue uninterrupted until life support is available.

*IF CHOKING:

Conscious victim

Ask the victim: "Are you choking?"

If the victim can speak, cough, or breath, do not interfere.

If the victim cannot speak, cough, or breathe, apply subdiaphragmatic abdominal thrusts (the Heimlich maneuver) until the foreign body is expelled or the victim becomes unconscious.

If the victim becomes unconscious:

Activate Emergency Medical Services as soon as possible, call 911.

Open mouth and perform finger sweep.

Open airway (head tilt/chin lift) and attempt rescue breathing.

If unsuccessful, apply 5 subdiaphragmatic abdominal thrusts.

BE PERSISTENT

Repeat sequence of finger sweep, rescue breathing, thrusts.

Continue uninterrupted until successful or advanced life support is available.

Fainting:

*Make sure he/she is breathing

*Fan him/her

*Raise his/her legs 8-12 inches

*Loosen tight clothing

*Give nothing to eat or drink

*If he/she vomits, place on side

*Call 911 if necessary

Bleeding:

*Apply direct pressure over the site with a clean cloth

*Elevate the body part, if not broken

*Wash your hands

Seizure:

*Call 911 for an ambulance

*Roll on side, if starts to vomit

*Protect from injury - remove nearby objects

*Don't hold or restrain

*Don't place anything between her teeth

*Cushion the head with a small pillow or folded clothing

*Call Division of Student Affairs (927-5711), if before 5 PM