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on the area for more specific information.
The
following topics relate to occupational safety and health hazards in the
laundry:
Contaminated Laundry
Contaminated Laundry as
defined in the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard definitions Section (b) as:
laundry which has been soiled with blood or other potentially infectious material
(OPIM) or may
contain sharps. |
Hazard
Exposure
to blood or OPIM through contaminated laundry that was improperly
labeled, or handled.
Example Controls
Follow
the procedures outlined in the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard,
1910.1030(d)(4)(iv),
for
handling contaminated laundry such as:
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- Handle contaminated laundry as little as possible,
with minimal agitation.
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- Bag contaminated laundry
at the location of use. Do not sort or rinse laundry at the location where
it was used [1910.1030(d)(4)(iv)(A)(1)].
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- Place wet contaminated laundry in leak-proof, and
color-coded or labeled containers, at the location where it was
used [1910.1030(d)(4)(iv)(A)(2)].
- Whenever contaminated
laundry is wet and presents a reasonable likelihood of
soak-through of or leakage from the bag or container, the
laundry shall be placed and transported in bags or
containers which prevent soak-through and/or leakage of
fluids to the exterior [1910.1030(d)(4)(iv)(A)(3)].
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- Contaminated laundry
must be placed and transported in bags or containers labeled with the
biohazard symbol or put in red bags in accordance with
1910.1030(g)(1)(i).
- In a facility that utilizes universal precautions
in the handling of all soiled laundry-alternative labeling or color-coding is sufficient
if it permits all employees to recognize the containers as requiring compliance with
universal precautions [1910.1030(d)(4)(iv)(A)(2)].
- Use red bags or bags marked with the biohazard
symbol, if the facility where items are laundered does not use
universal
precautions for all laundry [1910.1030(d)(4)(iv)(C)].
- For more information on labeling requirements see:
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- Normal laundry cycles should be used according to the
washer and detergent manufacturer's recommendations.
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Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE) |
Hazard
Exposure
to bloodborne pathogens through contact with contaminated laundry by
not wearing appropriate PPE.
Example Controls
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Employers
must ensure that employees who have
contact with contaminated laundry wear protective gloves and
other appropriate PPE as
discussed in the Bloodborne
Pathogens Standard, 1910.1030(d)(4)(iv)(B),
when
handling and/or sorting contaminated laundry.
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- It is the employers' responsibility to provide PPE
and to clean, maintain, and dispose of PPE, at no cost to the
employee [1910.1030(d)(3)(i)
and (iv)].
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Additional Information
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Sharps
Handling
"Contaminated Sharps" means any contaminated object that
can penetrate the skin including, but not limited to, needles,
scalpels, broken glass, broken capillary tubes, and exposed ends of
dental wires. 1910.1030(b),
Definitions.
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Hazard
Exposure to blood or
OPIM through contaminated laundry that contains sharps.
Example Controls
An exposure control plan
that includes
procedures for appropriate disposal
and handling of sharps and follows required practices outlined in the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.
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- Contaminated needles and
other contaminated sharps shall not be bent,
recapped or removed. No shearing or breaking of contaminated needles
is permitted [1910.1030(d)(2)(vii)(A)].
Except as noted in paragraphs (d)(2)(vii)(A)
and (d)(2)(vii)(B).
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- Sharps Containerization:
- Immediately or as soon as feasible, contaminated
sharps need to be discarded in appropriate containers [1901.1030(d)(4)(iii)(A)(1)].
- Sharps containers need to be
easily accessible to personnel and located as close as
is feasible to the immediate area where sharps are used
or can be reasonably anticipated to be found (e.g.,
laundries) [1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(A)(2)].
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Additional Information
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Hazardous Chemicals |
Hazard
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Exposure to hazardous
cleaning chemicals found and used in the laundry or housekeeping
process.
- Soaps and detergents may cause allergic reactions and
dermatitis.
- Broken skin from soap or detergent irritation may provide
an avenue for infection or injury if exposed to chemical or
biological hazards.
- Never mix together cleaning solutions that contain ammonia
and chlorine. When mixed together these chemicals form a
deadly gas.
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Example Controls
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Implement
a written program which meets the requirements of the Hazard
Communication Standard (HCS) to provide for worker training,
warning labels, and access to Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). |
The Hazard
Communication Standard ensures employee awareness of the
hazardous chemicals they are exposed to in the workplace.
- Agents with any of the
following characteristics are considered hazardous: carcinogens,
corrosives, toxic or highly toxic, irritants, sensitizers, or
target organ effectors Hazard
Communication Standard Appendix
A and chemicals listed in 1910.1000 Table
2.
- Both human and animal
data are to be used in this determination. The Hazard
Communication Standard Appendix
B lists sources of toxicity information.
- There are exceptions to
some of the requirements of the HCS for consumer products that
are subjected to the labeling requirements of the terms as
defined in the Consumer Product Safety Act and the Federal
Hazardous Substances Act [1910.1200(b)(5)(v)].
- For example, OSHA
does not require that MSDS be provided to purchasers of
household consumer products when the products are used in
the workplace in the same manner that a consumer would use
them, i.e.; where the duration and frequency of use (and
therefore exposure) is not greater than what the typical
consumer would experience. This exemption applies to
many of the cleaning products used in nursing homes.
- Provide readily available
Material
Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) for all hazardous chemicals.
- Workers must be trained
in potential chemical hazards and controls (engineering
controls, work practices, PPE) necessary to prevent hazards in
the work area [1910.1200(h)(3)].
- All hazardous chemicals
must be clearly labeled with appropriate hazard warnings,
including any target organ effects. [1910.1200(f)].
Provide PPE 1910.132(a)
(e.g., gloves, goggles, splash aprons, etc.) as appropriate when
handling hazardous dishwashing detergents and chemicals.
Exposures to Corrosives 1910.151(c)
Where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious
corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or
flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided within the work area
for immediate emergency use.
Employer may choose to
use another soap that is not considered hazardous.
The Utility, Dietary,
Maintenance, and Pharmacy
Modules also address hazardous chemicals.
Additional Information
- OSHA 174 for a sample
MSDS form.
- Appendix E,
Guidelines for Employer Compliance with the Hazard Communication Standard.
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Latex Allergy
Traditional
health care workers and many other workers , such as housekeepers,
gardeners, food service workers, and laundry workers are exposed to
latex products and latex allergy.
Latex
NIOSH Warning: Workers exposed to latex gloves and other
products containing natural rubber latex may develop allergic
reactions such as skin rashes; hives; nasal, eye, or sinus symptoms;
asthma; and (rarely) shock. |
Hazard
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Exposure to latex allergy
from wearing latex gloves, while handling contaminated laundry. |
Example
Controls
Use appropriate gloves
for latex-sensitive employees:
- Provide alternative
suitable non-latex gloves as choices for worker use as
required by OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard [1910.1030(d)(3)(iii)])
for workers who are allergic to latex gloves.
Non-latex gloves can provide the same protection from blood
or OPIM as latex gloves.
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- Note:
Hypoallergenic gloves, glove liners, or powderless gloves
are not to be assumed to be latex free.
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- The FDA now requires labeling statements for
medical devices that contain natural rubber and
prohibits the use of the word
"hypoallergenic" to describe such products.
(Federal
Register, Volume 62, No. 189, effective September 30,
1998). A summary is provided in the FDA talk paper
Latex
Labeling Required for all Medical Devices (1997, September 30), 2 pages.
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- Hand washing after
glove removal is required by OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens
Standard [1910.1030(d)(2)(v)]
after removal of gloves or other personal protective
equipment. This helps
to minimize powder and/or latex remaining in contact with
the skin.
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Other recommended strategies
to reduce latex sensitivity and minimize employee exposure to
latex include:
- Thorough clean-up of
any residual powder in the workplace with appropriate vacuum
filters.
- Use latex gloves that
are synthetic, low protein, powder free alternatives. Powder free gloves may reduce systemic allergic
responses.
- Eliminate the
unnecessary use of latex gloves when no risk of exposure to
bloodborne pathogens exists.
The Bloodborne
Pathogens and Pharmacy
Modules also address latex allergy.
Additional Information
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Noise Exposure
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Hazard
Occupational
exposure to high noise levels from noisy machinery in this area may
lead to occupationally induced hearing loss, hearing impairment,
hypertension, elevated blood pressure levels and other health
hazards.
Example Controls
A safety and
health program that recognizes and addresses the hazards created by noise
exposure.
- Occupational Noise Exposure Standard
[1910.95].
- Noise
Hearing Conservation: OSHA Priority. Under OSHA's general industry
standard, feasible administrative and engineering controls must be
implemented whenever employee noise exposures exceed 90 dBA (8-hour
time-weighted average (TWA)).
- In addition, an effective
hearing conservation program [1910.95(c)(1)],
including
specific requirements for monitoring
noise exposure, audiometric
testing, audiogram
evaluation, hearing
protection for employees with a standard threshold shift, training and
education, and recordkeeping
must be made available whenever employee exposures equal or exceed an
8-hour TWA sound level of 85 dBA, Occupational Noise Exposure Standard [1910.95].
- Some examples of
engineering and work practice controls to help decrease
occupational noise exposure levels are:
- Reduce the amount of
sound energy released by the noise source.
- Divert the flow of
sound energy away from the worker.
- Protect the receiver
from the sound energy reaching him/her.
- Proper maintenance of
equipment, equipment replacements.
- Revised operating
procedures, equipment redesign, enclosures.
- Acoustical shields and
barriers.
- Personal protective
equipment.
Additional Information
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Heat Stress
Exposure to excessive heat can result in heat exhaustion
and heat stroke. At high temperatures, the body circulates great
amounts of blood to the skin in an effort to eliminate heat through
perspiration. As a result, less blood is circulated to the body's
vital organs including the brain. Heat exhaustion can lead to
dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, and eventual collapse. If not
treated promptly, by lowering the person's body temperature, a person
suffering from heat exhaustion could suffer brain damage.
Even more serious than heat exhaustion is heat stroke. During heat stroke
the body stops sweating, making it impossible to dissipate heat. The
body temperature may rise to a dangerously high level in a short
time and cause
death. |
Hazard:
Workers may be exposed to excessive heat from working in laundry
areas. Exposure to excessive heat may lead to heat exhaustion, heat
stroke, and possible death.
Example Controls:
Good work practice
includes educating and training employees and supervisors to detect early signs
of heat-related illness and have available first aid workers to
recognize and treat these illnesses.
- Recognize the first signs of heat exhaustion,
(e.g., dizziness,
blurred vision, followed by nausea), and take immediate action to
lower the employee's body temperature to prevent the progression of
symptoms. Workers suffering from heat exhaustion should be
removed from the hot environment and immediately given fluid replacement.
They should also be encouraged to get adequate rest.
- Recognize the signs of heat stroke, which can be fatal. The
symptoms are severe headache, mental confusion/loss of
consciousness, flushed face, and hot, dry skin, with no sweating. If
someone has stopped sweating, seek medical attention
immediately. If a worker shows signs of possible heat
stroke, professional medical treatment should be obtained
immediately.
- The worker should be placed in a
cooler, well ventilated area and the outer
clothing should be removed. The worker's skin should be
wetted and air movement around the worker should be
increased to improve evaporative cooling until professional
methods of cooling are initiated and the seriousness of the
condition can be assessed. Fluids should be replaced as soon
as possible. The medical outcome of an episode of heat
stroke depends on the victim's physical fitness and the
timing and effectiveness of first aid and medical treatment.
Good work practice
encourages employers to assess worksites for potential hot work environments
and identify and address ways to decrease heat hazards in these
areas.
Employers should be aware of engineering and work practice
controls such as:
- General ventilation and local exhaust
ventilation at points of high heat production.
- Spot cooling fans.
- Shielding from radiant heat.
- Evaporative cooling and
air conditioning.
- Protective clothing and equipment.
- Provide plenty of drinking water.
- Acclimatize, or gradually introduce employees to the hot
environment, because the body gradually builds up a tolerance to the
high temperatures.
- Consider the employee's physical
condition and recognize that older workers,
obese workers and personnel on some types of medication are at
greater risk.
- Understand the danger of using drugs, including therapeutic
ones, and alcohol in hot work environments.
- Alternate work and rest periods.
- Monitor temperatures, humidity and workers' responses to heat
at least hourly.
- Supervisors should be able to detect early signs
of heat-related illness and permit workers to interrupt their
work if they are extremely uncomfortable.
- Educate employees to recognize the need to replace fluids and
salt lost through perspiration.
Additional Information
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Lifting Hazards
*Note OSHA is currently involved in
rulemaking
for Ergonomics
which may influence the following information. |
Hazard:
Excessive reaching and/or lifting in the laundry area can cause
work related musculoskeletal disorders such as strains and sprains to
the back or shoulder area.
Example Controls:
Good work practice
recommends employers should assess
the laundry area for ergonomic stressors and identify and address
ways to decrease stressors such as:
Train employees in proper
lifting techniques:
- Avoid lifting bulky or
awkwardly weighted objects.
- Avoid lifting/reaching or
working above shoulder height.
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Avoid
awkward postures, such as twisting while lifting.
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Lift items
close to the body.
- Limit the weight of the
item to be lifted.
- Lighten the item to be
lifted.
Use mechanical aids to
reduce the need to lift, such as:
The Ergonomics
Module also addresses lifting hazards.
Additional Information
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