SAFETY BLOG

Intro to Bloodborne Pathogens

Background of 1910 Subpart Z:

• 1986 OSHA petitioned by various unions to set standards for bloodborne pathogens
• December 6, 1991, Bloodborne Pathogens Standards 29 CFR 1910.1030 established
• combination of engineering controls, work practice controls, PPE, training, medical surveillance, hepatitis B vaccinations, signs and labels, and other regulations that minimize the risk of disease transmission
• revised in 2001 to reflect Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act of November 6, 2000
• revised standard took effect April 18, 2001
• enforced July 18, 2001
• Primary agents of concern are HIV, HBV (Hep B), HCV (Hep C)
• Factors that determine overall risk for transmission is the type and number of blood contacts
• Factors that vary risk of exposure are:
• the pathogen involved
• type of exposure
• amount of blood in exposure
• amount of virus in persons blood at time of exposure
• The employer must:
• have exposure control plan in place for reporting exposures
• inform employees about treatments available
• monitor for side effects of treatments
• may involve testing the employee's blood
• risks of infection:
• HBV: none for vaccinated, 6-30% for unvaccinated
• HCV: 1.8%
• HIV: 0.3%

Control and Compliance:

• All employers and employees who have occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens are required to establish a written exposure control plan and must include:
1. an exposure determination:
• list of all job classifications in which all employees have occupational exposures
• list of job classifications in which some employees have exposures
• a list of all tasks and procedures in which exposure may occur
2. methods of compliance
3. HIV and HBV research laboratories and production facilities
4. Hep B vaccination and post exposure evaluation and follow up
5. communications of hazards to employees
6. record keeping
7. procedures for evaluating circumstances surrounding exposure incidents
• Plan must be reviewed annually
• Plan must be available to OSHA for examination and/or copying
• The first principle of compliance is that universal precautions are to be observed
• Engineering controls must be used to eliminate or minimize exposure
• Sharps containers standards:
• puncture resistant and closeable
• labeled with biohazard placard or red colored
• leak proof on bottom and sides
• be constructed to prevent person from reaching inside

Communication and Training:

• Hazards are primarily communicated through labels, tags and placards affixed to containers and contaminated articles or equipment
• this is the visual component of communications
• training will provide knowledge and skills
• Training must include at least the following:
1. accessible copy of the bloodborne text with explanation of content
2. general explanation of blood diseases and symptoms
3. explanation of employers control plan and how to obtain a copy
4. explanation of how to recognize tasks that may involve exposure
5. use and limitations of methods to prevent or reduce exposure
6. all aspects of PPE
7. information on Hep B vaccination
8. information on persons to contact in an emergency and emergency procedures
9. post exposure evaluation and follow up
10. opportunity to ask employers questions

 Always consult government standards for more details.

Be safe out there!

Welding Hazards

Many industries utilize welding operations for construction, fabrication, and maintenance purposes.  Welding and torch cutting are invaluable tools in American industry but can be very dangerous.  Increase workplace safety by discussing welding hazards with your employees and develop a plan to mitigate or abate these hazards.

Welding Health Hazards

• routes of exposure
• inhalation - most common route of accidental entry
• ingestion
• absorption
• injection
• air contaminants
• fumes - usually metallic, hazardous to inhale
• particulates - solids or liquids that can be explosive and/or hazardous to breathe
• gases - can effect the body through all routes of entry
• vapors - evaporation of liquids or solids and can be very deadly
• physical agents
• ultraviolet radiation
• causes skin burns
• feeling of sand in eyes (known as "arc eye")
• infrared radiation
• mitigated with protective clothing and helmets
• intense visible light
• retinal damage from direct viewing
• chemical agents
• zinc
• found in brass, galvanized metals, and alloys
• cause metal fume fever which has symptoms similar to the flu
• cadmium
• rust preventative coating on steel
• severe lung irritation, emphysema, and kidney damage
• beryllium
• alloy element with copper and other metals
• chemical pneumonia
• shortness of breath, cough, weight loss, and fatigue
• iron oxide
• alloying element in steel
• iron pigmentation of lungs
• mercury
• rust prevention coatings
• tremors, emotional and behavioral disturbances, and hearing difficulties
• lead
• lead bearing alloys and lead based paints
• brain damage, central nervous system damage, circulation problems, and damage to the reproduction system
• fire and electrocution
• sparks and heat generated in welding operation can ignite combustible materials
• vapors, dusts, and gases may ignite and explode
• large amounts of electricity are needed to sustain welding operations, welding safety includes controlling electrical hazards

 Please look for future safety huddles dealing with welding PPE and safety regulations.  Always consult government standards for more details.

 Be safe out there!

OSHA estimates that 32 million employees are exposed to hazardous chemicals each year in the United States.  Understanding OSHA's Hazard Communication (HazCom) program can be quite confusing at times.  OSHA 29 CRF Part 1910 Subpart Z states that the purpose of the program is to ensure that the hazards of all chemicals produced or imported are evaluated, and that information concerning their hazards is transmitted to employers and employees.  This transmittal is to be accomplished by means of comprehensive hazard communication programs, which are to include container labeling and other forms of warning, materials safety data sheets and employee training.

Scope and Range of HazCom

• All hazardous chemicals as defined by OSHA that employees may be exposed to under normal workplace conditions of use or in a foreseeable emergency are covered under this standard.
• Exemptions:
• Hazardous substances being removed under CERCLA
• Tobacco or tobacco products
• Wood or wood products that will not be processed at all
• Manufactured articles other than a fluid or particle that are formed to a specific shape during manufacturing
• Food or alcoholic beverages which are sold, used, or prepared in a retail establishment, or intended for consumption
• Prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• Cosmetics
• Consumer products where the employer can show that it is used in the workplace in a method, duration, and frequency of exposure which is not greater than experienced by consumers
• Ionizing and non ionizing radiation
• Biological hazards

Employer Responsibilities - 7 Standards under HazCom:

1. Chemical inventory
2. Labeling
3. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
4. Non-routine tasks
5. Multi-employer workplace
6. Training
7. Hazcom plan

Chemical Handling and Maintenance:

• Hazardous Chemical Inventory: at minimum, is a list of hazardous chemicals known to be present in the workplace.
• It is a good idea to include the common names, trade names, chemical manufacturer, locations and quantities in the inventory.
• Types of containers:
• Primary- are prelabeled containers of Hazardous Chemicals (HC) that you purchase from the manufacturer or distributor.
• Secondary- when employer transfers a HC from primary to another container to store and use smaller quantities.
• Stationary- large permanent containers.
• Portable- used when small amount of chemical is transferred into another container for immediate use.
• Chemical Labeling
• Primary container labels must contain:
• product name
• name and address of manufacturer
• health effects including target organs
• must be in English and legible
• Secondary labeling: employee is responsible to make sure every secondary container of HC is labeled, tagged or marked with at least the following information:
• identity of HC
• appropriate hazard warnings, pictures, words, and/or symbols which provide at least general hazard information, which in conjunction with MSDS will provide employee with specific information on physical and health hazards
• employees must be trained in how to read designated labeling systems
• i.e.  NFPA, HMIS
• HMIS - Hazardous Materials Identification System

• health hazard (blue)  /  0-4 (4 worst or most)
• fire hazard (red)  /  0-4
• reactivity (yellow)  /  0-4
• personal protective equipment (white)  /  listed
• NFPA (National Fire Protection Association)

• red (flammability)
• blue (health)
• yellow (reactivity)
• white (special hazards)
• There are 2 exceptions to labeling portable containers:
• containers do not have to be labeled if employee filling container is only employee using chemical.
• if there will be no material left in container at the end of the work shift.

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS):

• Chemical manufacturers and importers must obtain or develop a MSDS for each HC they produce or import.
• Manufacturer and importer responsibilities:
• prepare MSDS and ensure the information is accurate
• update MSDS when aware of new information
• provide MSDS with the first chemical shipment or as requested by the employer
• Distributor responsibilities:
• ensure that MSDS's are provided to other distributors and employers with the initial product shipment or upon request
• Employer responsibilities:
• provide ongoing maintenance and updates of chemical MSDS
• obtain an MSDS for each chemical if not provided with the initial product
• make sure that all MSDS's are readily accessible during each work shift
• Each MSDS must be in English, employer may obtain copies in other languages.
• MSDS are not standardized, but all information described below must be present somewhere on the MSDS:
• product information-dates, names, phone numbers, etc.
• ingredient information-CAS #, exposure limits, etc.
• physical and chemical characteristics
• appearance, specific gravity, vapor pressure, etc.
• fire and explosion data
• fire fighting measures
• reactivity data
• health hazard information
• hazard identification-acute hazards
• first aid measures
• precautions for safe handling and use
• transportation information
• labeling information

HazCom Training:

• Who needs to be trained?
• all full time, part time, temporary and volunteer employees
• employer must evaluate each employee's level of knowledge with regard to chemical hazards
• How often is training needed?
• training at time of initial assignment
• when new physical of health hazard is introduced
• annual training recommended
• What information in presented?
• requirements of 29 CFR 1910.1200
• any operations in an employee's work area where hazardous chemicals are present
• methods and observations used to detect releases
• physical and health hazards of chemicals present
• measures of protection
• location, availability and details of employee HazCom plan

Multi-Employer Worksites:

• All employers hiring outside contractors must include the following in their HazCom plan:
• the HC's employees may be exposed to
• methods the employer will use to provide the contractors on site access to MSDS's
• methods the employer will use to inform the contractor of precautionary measures taken to protect themselves when working around HC's.