OSHA Flashcards
What does OSHA stand for?
Occupational Health and Safety Administration
What must all employers provide to their staff?
A “Right to Know” hazardous materials training program.
What has OSHA developed?
Standards for safe work places, many of which apply to the vet workplace.
Are OSHA standards voluntary?
No. All employers are required to comply with the OSHA Standards for Workplace Safety.
- regardless of the # of employees.
- Federal regulations.
What do the OSHA standards do for the employer?
Teaches them how to avoid accidents, injuries, and fines while their employees are working with hazardous materials in the workplace.
Are Veterinary practices unsafe?
Most of them are not, they are rated a low hazard by OSHA. There are many hazardous materials in the workplace though.
What must the employer design and implement?
- A hazardous communication plan.
- Employee safe training.
- Hazardous materials inventory.
What is the employer responsible for?
Safe handling of chemicals or hazardous materials which are materials that could harm human health or the environment.
How are the Right to Know Regulations different from hazardous waste disposal regs?
- It addresses the management of hazardous materials before disposal.
- It is designed to make sure the employees know which materials in the workplace are hazardous and how to protect themselves.
Do some states have their own regulations?
Yes, some have additional “Right to Know” regulations. They must also be complied with.
What are the additional regs in NYS?
There are additional radiation exposure regs.
- Unless it is an extreme emergency, NO ONE can be holding an animal during x-ray.
- No one of chile bearing age can be present during x-ray.
- All employees should wear a radiation badge even when they are not in the room.
What is the employer responsible for under the “Right to Know”?
- Setting policies and establishing protocols for the plan.
- Assigning responsibilities for areas of the plan to specific people and supporting them in it.
- Setting example by following all policies themselves.
- Involving all employees in the hospital’s overall health and safety plan.
- Employers must demonstrate a strong commitment to safety and health that must be visible to all employees.
What does “the plan” refer to?
The Hazardous Communication Plan that employers are responsible for creating.
What do employees need to learn about?
- Hazardous materials in the workplace.
- How to use information, resources and safety equipment properly.
- Keep require records.
- Ask questions about any possible hazardous material.
Is OSHA increasing or decreasing their numbers of veterinary hospital inspections?
They continue to increase them.
What happens with noncompliance?
Cost both time and money.
How much is one typical fine?
About $7,000 or more EACH!
How many citations does the OSHA inspector issue on average?
3
How long do they give for the program to be brought up to standards after a fine?
Very little time.
Who is required to know how to handle hazardous materials?
ALL employees, even someone just coming in to shadow!
OSHA requires employers to have:
1 of 5
-Written Hazardous Communication Plan
It describes how the practice will comply with the law, and who has what responsibilities.
OSHA requires employers to have:
2 of 5
-Inventory
They must maintain an updated inventory of hazardous materials on site.
OSHA requires employers to have:
3 of 5
-MSDS
MSDSs which are supplied by the manufacturer or distributor, must be maintained for all hazardous materials on site.
OSHA requires employers to have:
4 of 5
-Container Labeling
All containers holding these hazardous materials must be properly labeled and have the appropriate warning labels.
OSHA requires employers to have:
5 of 5
-Training
All employees must be trained in the proper handling and safety of hazardous materials.
What does the Hazardous Communication Plan describe?
- The practices commitment to employee health and safety.
- The training program for employees.
- The method for notifying contractors about hazardous materials.
What does the Hazardous Communication Plan explain?
- The policies and procedures for identifying and managing hazardous materials.
- Where MSDSs are kept and what to do if they were not received with the product from the manufacturer.
- Protocols for training current and new employees in the use of new chemicals.
Who does the Hazardous Communication Plan name?
- Specific individuals in the practice who are responsible for the plan.
- Person responsible for training.
- Person responsible for keeping the MSDSs up to date.
What does the Hazardous Communication Plan describe regarding labeling?
Describes the labeling system and proper handling when a hazardous material is transferred from its larger primary container, to a smaller secondary container.
-labeling = HMIG System
What does HMIG stand for?
Hazardous Materials Identification Guide
What does the Hazardous Communication Plan describe regarding training?
The training procedures at the hospital including the employee’s legal rights as well as a list of hazards and how to protect against these hazards.
Where must the Hazardous Communication Plan be kept?
In an area where it is easily accessible to ALL employees.
What do employees need to know regarding the Hazardous Communication Plan
Where it is and how to use it.
Do employers/employees really have to follow everything in the written plan?
There can be no discrepancies between your written plan and your actual operating procedures.
What should be discussed when training?
Specific procedures used to provide protection such as following a specific protocol when handling chemotheraputic drugs, or what type of personal protective equipment to use for specific procedures. Also explain how the employee will know if they have been overexposed to a hazardous chemical.
What are the benefits of the “Right to Know” program?
- Tighter inventory control.
- Fewer accidents.
- Possible decrease in employee turnover and insurance rates.
What can overexposure to chemicals cause or contribute to?
- Heart ailments.
- Kidney and lung damage.
- Sterility.
- Cancer.
- Burns.
- Rashes.
- Fires and explosions.
- Other serious accidents.
What is the intent of the hazard communication standard?
To insure that employers and employees know about workplace hazards and how to protect themselves from hazardous materials.
What are the specific rights regarding the “Right to Know”?
- You CAN NOT be fired or discriminated against for asking for information and training about hazards.
- The employer must provide you with personal protective equipment at NO cost and must train you in its use.
- They must train you on how to read and use the info on container labels and MSDSs.
- Must train in methods and protocols for routine and non-routine procedures.
- Must explain your role in emergencies.
As an employee, what are you responsible for?
- Need to remember about hazards you may face on the job and how to protect yourself.
- You must wear and use personal protective equipment as you were trained.
- You must read labels, MSDSs, and ask questions if you are unfamiliar with a situation.