Hierarchy of Controls
Workers can be protected from exposures to glutaraldehyde through engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment.
- Engineering Controls: Engineering controls eliminate or reduce hazards through the design or redesign of tools, equipment, or machinery. They include biological safety cabinets (BSC), compounding aseptic containment isolators, closed system transfer devices, and needleless systems. Using engineering controls is considered the most effective way to control employee exposure to hazardous chemicals.
- Administrative Controls: Administrative controls eliminate or reduce exposure to hazards by controlling employee behaviors. They include implementing work practices, policies, and training programs to reduce worker risk. A medical monitoring program serves as a form of secondary prevention by identifying indicators of exposure or early disease. They are less effective than engineering controls because, to be effective, employees must comply with the controls.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): PPE protects employees by setting up a barrier between the employee and the hazard. Employers are required to provide appropriate PPE, such as gloves, goggles, and splash aprons when employees are handling hazardous chemicals. The use of PPE is considered the least effective control method because, as with administrative controls, effectiveness depends on employee behaviors to prevent exposure.
Engineering Controls
The main goal of engineering controls is to prevent glutaraldehyde vapor from entering the workroom and the employee's breathing zone. It does this by containing and removing it at the source of release.
The primary sources of employee exposure to glutaraldehyde during disinfection/sterilant activities include:
- pouring glutaraldehyde solutions into container systems
- opening soaking basins or reservoirs
- handling instruments containing residual glutaraldehyde
Engineering controls tailored for these exposure sources include ventilation, both general exhaust ventilation and local exhaust systems (such as laboratory chemical hoods), process automation, and isolation (e.g., basins with tight-fitting covers, dedicated centralized storage and use areas).
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-4. Which of the following is considered the most effective way to control exposure to hazardous chemicals?
You forgot to answer the question!