The following are external links related to Disease Prevention projects. For more information, click the links.
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Preparation, administration, manufacturing, and disposal of hazardous medications may expose healthcare workers to potentially significant levels of these chemicals. Antineoplastic cytotoxic medications, anesthetic agents, anti-viral agents, and others have been identified as hazardous, which are capable of causing serious effects including cancer, organ toxicity, fertility problems, genetic damage, and birth defects.
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Communicable disease is an illness which results from exposure to a specific infectious agent or its toxic products which arises through transmission of that agent or its products from an infected person, animal, or inanimate reservoir. Transmission can be via direct contact (e.g. touch or contact with infectious droplets), indirect contact (e.g. touching contaminated inanimate materials or objects), via vectors (e.g. insects) or through the air (e.g. inhalation of droplet nuclei).
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Latex is used to produce numerous products that are used in healthcare such as gloves, syringe plungers, vial stoppers and adhesives. Latex allergy is an immune response to either the natural proteins in latex or the chemicals used in the production of latex. Latex poses an occupational hazard which should be minimized or eliminated.
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Occupational exposure to high noise levels can be found in different areas of the health care setting (e.g., laundry, engineering, heliport, and other noisy equipment). Excessive, prolonged exposure may induce hearing loss, hearing impairment, hypertension, elevated blood pressure levels and/or other health hazards.
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In support of BCs planning for the next Pandemic, OHSAH participates in the Human Resources Working Group of the Pandemic Influenza Management Committee. One of many important issues being addressed involves Occupational Health and Safety and specifically recommendations regarding personal protective equipment – type and quantity of masks, training and procedures etc.. OHSAH is also providing support to the Public Health Agency of Canada regarding similar PPE issues in the National Pandemic Plan.
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Working with equipment producing ionizing or non-ionizing radiation, such as x-ray machines or lasers, may expose healthcare workers to potentially significant doses of radiation. Biological effects of radiation are dependant on the amount of absorbed and its distribution over the tissue. Excessive radiation exposure is associated with cell damage and death.
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Personal protective equipment (PPE) is equipment worn by a worker to minimize exposure to specific occupational hazards. Examples of such equipment are respirators, gloves, gowns, eye protection and foot protection. It must be remembered that PPE is only one element in a complete safety program and that PPE does not reduce the hazard itself nor does it guarantee permanent or total protection. The priority for hazard control should be to eliminate it at the source or along the path between the source and the worker. When the hazard
cannot be removed or controlled adequately, PPE must be used if the work process is to continue.
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Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is a comprehensive plan for providing information on the safe use of hazardous materials by means of product labeling system, Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), and worker education programs. In British Columbia if controlled products are used in workplace the employer in consultation with worker health and safety representative must establish and maintain an effective WHMIS program as part of overall workplace health and safety program.
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Anesthetic Gases: Guidelines for Workplace Exposures
Author: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 38 pages [HTML] |
Last Updated: October 26, 2009.