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633 Healthcare: Emergency Room Safety

Hazardous Chemicals

Potential Hazard

Employee exposure to hazardous chemicals, such as pesticides, disinfectants, and hazardous drugs in the workplace.

Healthcare provider holding various sealed sleeves of medical capsules.
Limit exposure to hazardous chemicals and drugs.

Possible Solutions

  • A program should be in place to maximize employee safety during decontamination of patients.
  • A program should be in place to maximize employee safety during administration, disposal, and preparation of hazardous drugs.

OSHA requires employers to implement a formal (written) program that meets the requirements of the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) to provide for worker training, warning labels, and access to Safety Data Sheets (SDSs).

The Hazard Communication Standard ensures employee awareness of the hazardous chemicals they are exposed to in the workplace.

For more information on the Hazard Communication Standard, please see OSHAcademy course 705 Hazard Communication Program.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

1-3. What ensures employee awareness of the hazardous chemicals they are exposed to in the workplace?

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