hazardous chemicals
-defined as any chemical that can cause a physical or a health hazard
-a chemical is considered hazardous if it:
-can catch fire
-can react or explode when mixed with other substances
-is corrosive
-is toxic
general handling and safety
-all chemicals are capable of producing harmful effects if not handled correctly
-safety is the shared commitment of the dental office
-five job-related hazards:
-exposure to particulate matter
-exposure to mercury
-exposure to toxic effects of chemicals
exposure to chemicals
three primary methods of exposure:
1. inhalation
2. skin contact
3. ingestion
-gases, vapors, and dusts of chemicals can cause direct damage to the lungs
chemical
-classified by length of exposure, dose, and frequency of exposure
-acute chemical toxicity
-chronic chemical toxicity
acute chemical toxicity
high concentration over short time
chronic chemical toxicity
low dosage over long time
-vaping, radiation, mercury, tanning beds
-neurological problems, sterile
exposure to Bisphenol A
-chemical used to harden plastics and to line metal food and beverage cans and water pipes
exposure to mercury
-work in a well-ventilated space
-avoid direct skin contact
-avoid inhalation
-store mercury in unbreakable, tightly sealed containers away from heat
-when preparing amalgam, use preloaded capsules
-reassemble amalgam capsules immediately after dispensing
personal chemical protection
Hand protection, eye protection, protective clothing, and inhalation protection
dental laboratory infection control
-OSHA mandates that the dental lab have the same infection control protocols as the dental office
-effective communication is imperative
-standard precautions
-appropriate PPE
OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
-hazard communication program
-written hazard communication program
-chemical inventory
-safety data sheets (SDS)
-labeling of chemicals containers
-labeling exemptions
-National Fire Protection Associa
regulatory and advisory agencies
-centers for disease control and prevention
-food and drug administration
-environmental protection agency
-occupational safety and health administration
-national institutes of health
-national institute of dental and crainofacial research
-national inst
center for disease control and prevention (CDC)
-recognized as the lead federal agency for protecting the health and safety of people at home and abroad
-bases its public health recommendations on the highest-quality scientific data
-infection control procedures practiced in dentistry today are based o
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
-regulatory agency that is part of the US Department of Health and Human Services
-the FDA regulates the manufacture and labeling of medical devices
-regulates antimicrobial hand-washing products and mouth rinses
environmental protection agency (EPA)
-regulatory agency that ensures the safety and effectiveness of disinfectants
-manufactures of disinfectants must submit information about the safety and effectiveness of the product
-if the claims meet the EPA criteria, the product receives an EPA regist
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
-regulatory agency that protects workers against physical, chemical, and infectious hazards in the workplace
-is establishes protective standards, enforces those standards, and offers technical assistance and consultation programs
-OSHA is a federal agenc
Revision of HCS standard
in 2012, OSHA revised the HCS and adopted the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)
employee training
-staff training is required:
-when a new employee is hired
-when a new chemical product is added to the office
-once a year for all continuing employees
-records of each training session must be kept on fire
-training records are to be retained for at lea
dental office waste management
-dental offices use some substances that may be regulated under federal, state or local environment regulation
-these materials may effect the waste water treatment plant or may bypass it through the treatment plant into a bay, ocean, river or other water
classification of waste
-OSHA regulations apply to the handling of waste in the dental office for the protection of employees
-when waste leaves the dental office, EPA regulations apply to the disposal
-all dental waste should be classified according to EPA guidelines as regulat
regulated waste
-includes sharps, such as disposable needles, scalpel blades, contaminated broken glass, disposable dental burs and endodontics files and reamers
-other include blood-soaked and blood-caked items, human tissues, and pathologic waste
-requires special disp
nonregulated waste
-includes contaminated waste materials as well as saliva-soaked gauze, used patient bibs and surface barriers
-all waste containers that hold potentially infectious materials must be labeled with a biohazard symbol
-OSHA requires this label to protect the
scrap amalgam
-should be collected and stored in a designated, dry, airtight container
-scrap amalgam that is not recycled must be managed as hazardous waste
-the container of scrap amalgam that is recycled must be labeled with the name, address, and telephone number o
waste disposal
-the EPA enforces the disposal of regulated waste
-if state and local regulations are more stringent than federal rules, state and local regulations must be followed
-dentist is responsible for proper and ultimate disposal of waste generated in the dental
eco-conscience green practices
-must be effective compromises to maintain an eco-friendly practice while not compromising the safety of the patient
-eco-friendly "do's and don'ts"
-dental assistant: choose cost-effective greener options when order supplies
-ADA Top Ten Initiatives
patient safety
-protective eyewear
-maintain an open airway
-protective covering
-pre procedural mouth rinse
lab safety practices
-do not eat, drink apply cosmetics or lip balm or place/remove contact lenses in the treatment area, lab, sterilization and radiograph processing area
-do not store food or drink in fridge or freezers that are also used to keep dental products or other po
lab rules
-no food, drinks or smoking
-keep all cosmetics away from this area
-wear PPE when working in the lab
-keep hair pulled back
-report all accidents to dentist immediately
-follow the manufacture's instructions for equipment operation
-clean the work area b
Lab safety procedures
-protective eyewear
-close-toed shoes
-disposable gloves
-hair secured up and back off collar
-face mask and shield
-nitrile gloves
physical safety
know the location of the fire extinguisher and fire escape routes
chemical safety
take care in the handling of corrosive, toxic, and carcinogenic substances
biohazard
items brought into the lab can harbor blood and salvia that may be infective