Non-Healthcare OSHA Compliance
7/27/2019
To minimize risk to employees exposed to hazardous materials, employers need to take into account all the steps involved in the cleanup of contaminated material in their facility. They need to look at how the entire cleanup process is handled, from when the worker is notified of a spillage right through to how the cleanup materials are discarded. If an exposure incident occurs it could put employees, customers and others at risk. This exposure could cost the company thousands of dollars, not to mention legal risks and lost reputation.
To be OSHA compliant, facilities with a medical waste exposure risk need to have a cleanup and containment plan in place. Safe disposal measures must also be looked at. The following should be included:
- Appropriate personal protective equipment must be supplied. For instance, gloves and masks.
- Containment of the spill. This may include the use of absorbent material which must then be safely disposed of.
- Containers for sharps disposal
- How the contaminated surface will be cleansed and disinfected. The disinfectant must be EPA registered.
- Disposal of the waste. Once contained, the facility must dispose of the waste material correctly. Sharps containers and red bags cannot simply be thrown into the regular garbage.