By Julia Vann
One of the most important things in modern day healthcare is to avoid contamination and hazards. There is going to be a lot of hazardous material to face, but so long as everything is labeled properly and kept well organized, there shouldn’t be much danger. For the safety of both employees and patients, it’s vital that employees learn the proper protocol for handling these materials, as well as what to do in the event of an accident. And one of the best ways to avoid danger is through the use of Safety Data Sheets.
What Counts as a Hazard?
There are a lot of different things that count as a hazard. They all need to be stored differently according to what they are. Most importantly, it’s necessary to understand the GHS (Globally Harmonized System for Classifying Hazardous Chemicals) symbols.
There are a number of different GHS symbols. The image above is only one example. The images are typically pretty easy to follow since they come with explanations for each of them. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to spend some time memorizing them, though!
Hazard Communications Plan
In order to ensure a safe workplace environment, it’s important to utilize Safety Data Sheets. What these do is make sure the employees have a set list to follow to keep everything properly stored and safe. They also ensure that employees know exactly what to do in the event of an accident. The following are examples of what Safety Data Sheets require:
- Label Secondary Containers
- Proper training prior to using chemicals
- Explanation and health risk evaluations
- Clean up and disposal of chemicals
- First aid and emergency procedures
As of right now, there are 16 sections included for the Safety Data Sheets. However, OSHA only requires 12 of them. It’s important to learn and remember which ones those are to avoid any slip ups. The purpose of these are not only to keep employees and patients safe, but they also serve another purpose. In the case of an accident, these sheets provide a liability safety net. They help prove that negligence didn’t cause any accidents.
If you’re interested in taking a fast and easy course to learn the ins and outs of Safety Data Sheets, our course is perfect for you.
To learn more about hazard communication, visit the American Medical Compliance Website.
