Occupational Hazards in Healthcare Facilities

 

Acrylamide Hazards

Acrylamide

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards

Acrylamide Hazards Substance Fact Sheet

(New Jeresy Depatment of Health) (PDF file)

ACRYLAMIDE

CAMEO Chemicals - Chemical Datasheet

ACRYLAMIDE

International Chemical Safety Cards

ACRYLAMIDE

U.S. EPA

ACRYLAMIDE

Human Health Effects - TOXNET

ACRYLAMIDE

CDC

ACRYLAMIDE

NIH PubChem

ACRYLAMIDE

(IPCS) Chemical Safety Information from Intergovernmental Organizations

ACRYLAMIDE

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

ACRYLAMIDE

U.S. OSHA - Laboratory Hazards


Back to homepage


Back to top of page  

Aerosolized Drug Hazards: Pentamidine and Ribavirin

Health and Safety Practices Survey of Healthcare Workers
Aerosolized Medications

CDC - 2017

Exposure of Health Care Workers to Pentamidine Isethionate
J. R. Beach, M. Campbell and D. J. Andrews

Occup. Med. Vol. 49, No. 4, pp. 243-245, 1999 (PDF file)

Occupational Risk Factors and Asthma among Health Care Professionals

Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2007 April 1; 175(7): 667–675.

Assessing Exposures of Health-Care Personnel to Aerosols of Ribavirin

CDC

HOSPITAL INVESTIGATIONS: HEALTH HAZARDS

OSHA - U.S.A.

Deborah Ann Adams, RN, PhD

NIOSH Technical Report: Ribavirin

(PDF file)

Hazardous Drug Exposures in Health Care

CDC / NIOSH


Back to top of page  

Anesthetic Gases Hazards

Occupational Safety and Health Administration - Anesthetic Gases: Guidelines for Workplace Exposures

http://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/anestheticgases/index.html

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety - Waste Anesthetic Gases, Hazards

http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/waste_anesthetic.html

Occupational Safety and Health Administration - Waste Anesthetic Gases

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/wasteanestheticgases/

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health - Waste Anesthetic Gases - Occupational Hazards in Hospitals

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2007-151/

ASTM F1343 - 02 Standard Specification for Anesthetic Gas Scavenging Systems -
Transfer and Receiving Systems

http://www.astm.org/Standards/F1343.htm

Evaluation of genetic damage in operating room personnel exposed to anaesthetic gases

http://mutage.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/21/4/249

Exposure of Postoperative Nurses to Exhaled Anesthetic Gases

Anesthesia & Analgesia, Vol 87, 1083-1088

Control of Nitrous Oxide During Cryosurgery

CDC


Back to top of page  

Antineoplastic Agents / Hazardous Drugs

Hazardous Drug Exposures in Health Care

NIOSH

SAFE HANDLING OF HAZARDOUS DRUGS

Duke University (PDF file)

The adverse health effects of occupational exposure to hazardous drugs

Susan Martin, RN, DNSc, AOCN (PDF file)

Occupational Exposure to Antineoplastic Agents

CDC / NIOSH

Prevention Guide Safe Handling of Hazardous Drugs

IRSST Que (PDF file)

Handbook of Occupational Hazards and Controls for Pharmacy Workers

Government of Alberta (PDF file)

NIOSH List of Antineoplastic and Other Hazardous Drugs in Healthcare Settings 2010

NIOSH (PDF file)

NIOSH List of Antineoplastic and Other Hazardous Drugs in Healthcare Settings 2012

NIOSH (PDF file)

2010-167

Establishing a Hazardous Drug Safety Program

Fred Massoomi, PharmD, FASHP, Bill Neff, RPh, and Amy Pick, PharmD (PDF file)

EXPOSURE TO ANTINEOPLASTIC AGENTS IN THE PHARMACY LABORATORY SETTING AND ONGOING NIOSH STUDIES

THOMAS H. CONNOR, Ph.D. (ppt)

Assessment of the Occupational Dermal Exposure Potential of British Columbian Healthcare Workers to Antineoplastic Drugs

Chun-Yip Hon; Winnie Chu
Worksafe and Wellness, Vancouver Coastal Health;
School of Environmental Health, University of British Columbia (PDF file)

Precautions or Universal Precautions Approach to Handling Hazardous Drugs Safely

NIOSH (PDF file)

NIOSH-CDC - Preventing Occupational Exposures to Antineoplastic and Other Hazardous Drugs in Health Care Settings

(PDF file)

Antineoplastic Agents - Occupational Hazards in Hospitals

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2004-102/

Personal Protective Equipment for Health Care Workers Who Work with Hazardous Drugs

CDC

ASHP Guidelines on Handling Hazardous Drugs

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (PDF file)

OSHA work-practice guidelines for personnel dealing with cytotoxic (antineoplastic) drugs. Occupational Safety and Health Administration

http://www.ajhp.org/cgi/content/abstract/43/5/1193

CONTROLLING OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO HAZARDOUS DRUGS
U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration

OSHA , U.S.

SAFE HANDLING OF HAZARDOUS DRUGS

Duke University

Safe Handling of Hazardous Drugs

IRSST (PDF file)

Hazardous Anticancer Drugs in Health Care: environmental exposure assessment

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2006 Sep; 1076:615-23

Handling of Chemotherapeutic Drugs in the OR: Hazards and Safety Considerations

ISBN 978-0-387-48991-9 (Print) 978-0-387-48993-3 (Online)

Safe Handling of Hazardous Drugs

BC Cancer Agency (PDF file)

Cytotoxic Drugs

(PDF file)

Cyclophosphamide Contamination Observed on the External Surfaces of Drug Vials and the Efficacy of Cleaning on Vial Contamination

Annals of Occupational Hygiene 2008 52(8):765-771

Preventing Occupational Exposure to Antineoplastic and Other Hazardous Drugs in Health Care Settings

CDC - NIOSH


Back to top of page  

Autoclave Hazards

Autoclave Safety

Cornell University

Laboratory Safety Incidents: Autoclaves

American Industrial Hygiene Association

Biologically Contaminated Waste

Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Environment, Health and Safety Office


Back to top of page  

Bloodborne Pathogens Hazards

BLOODBORNE INFECTIOUS DISEASES: HIV/AIDS, HEPATITIS B, HEPATITIS C

CDC

2007 Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings

(PDF file)

Bloodborne Pathogens

U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Agency

The Biological MSDS
List for Organisms (predominantly bacteria and viruses). Includes Information on Pathogenicity, Epidemiology, Infectious Dose, and Mode of Transmission.

Public Health Agency of Canada

Infection Control

http://www.mtpinnacle.com/htm/infection.html

University of Vermont - Exposure Control Plan for Bloodborne Pathogens

http://esf.uvm.edu/uvmecp/index.html


Back to top of page  

Centrifuge Hazards

The Centrifuge Incident

MIT

Centrifuge and Rotor Safety Guide

Stony Brook University

Centrifuges - Hazard Report Summary

ECRI Institute


Back to top of page  

Compressed Gas and Medical Gas Hazards

OSHA - Compressed Gas and Equipment

OSHA

Compressed Gas Association (CGA) - Safety Alerts

CGA


Back to top of page  

Confined Space Entry Hazards

ONTARIO REGULATION 632/05 - CONFINED SPACES

Occupational Health and Safety Act ONTARIO REGULATION 632/05 - CONFINED SPACES

ONTARIO REG. 631/05, Confined Spaces - OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT

(Health Care and Residential Facilities)

Confined Spaces - National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/confinedspace/

Permit-Required Confined Spaces

U.S. Regulations (Standards - 29 CFR)


Back to top of page  

Cryogenic Hazards

Cryogenic Liquids and their Hazards

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety

Liquid Nitrogen Handling and Use

Cornell University Office of Environmental Health and Safety


Back to top of page  

Disinfectant Hazards

Public Health Ontario

Best Practices for Cleaning, Disinfection and Sterilization of Medical Equipment/Devices In All Health Care Settings, 3rd edition

Reducing Ethylene Oxide and Glutaraldehyde Use

U.S. EPA (PDF file)

CDC Guideline for Disinfection and and Sterilization in Healthcare - 2008

CDC (PDF file)

GLUTARALDEHYDE

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Endoscope Reprocessing: Guidance on the Requirements for Decontamination Equipment, Facilities and Management

Endoscope Reprocessing: Guidance on the Requirements for Decontamination Equipment, Facilities and Management (PDF file)

Occupational Exposure to Cidex

(ppt)

Sterilants and Disinfectants in Healthcare Facilities

Healthcare Environmental Resource Centre

Chemical Information Profile for o-Phthalaldehyde (OPA)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (PDF file)

Glutaraldehyde – Occupational Hazards in Hospitals

CDC / NIOSH

Hospital eTool - Healthcare Wide Hazards Module: Glutaraldehyde

Occupational Safety and Health Administration U.S.A. (html)

CDC - Occupational Hazards in Hospitals - Glutaraldehyde

CDC (PDF file)

Best Practices for Cleanining, Disinfection and Sterilization of Medical Equipment/Devices in All Healthcare Settings

Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care (PDF file)

Best Practices for the Safe Use of Glutaraldehyde in Health Care

OSHA

CAN/CSA-Z314.9-09 (R2013) - Installation, ventilation, and safe use of ethylene oxide sterilizers in health care facilities

Canadian Standards Association

PHENOL

CDC

Cleaning Chemicals

Polution Prevention and Compliance Assistance for the Healthcare Industry

BC Centre for Disease Control - A Guide to Selection and Use of Disinfectants

(PDF file)

henol: Hazards and Precautions

University of California, Berkeley - Office of Environment, Health and Safety

Chemical Profile for PHENOL (CAS Number: 108-95-2)

http://www.scorecard.org/chemical-profiles/summary.tcl?edf_substance_id=108-95-2

Chemical Profile for SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE (CAS Number: 7681-52-9)

http://www.scorecard.org/chemical-profiles/summary.tcl?edf_substance_id=7681-52-9

Safety and Health Topics:Iodine

U.S.A. - Occupational Safety & Health Administration

In-hospital evaluation of orthophthalaldehyde as a high level disinfectant for flexible endoscopes

J Hosp Infect. 1994 Jan;26(1):15-26

Ortho-phthalaldehyde (Cidex® OPA)

Johns Hopkins Safety Manual (PDF file)
Back to top of page  

Electrical Hazards

Fire Safety

NIOSH / CDC (PDF file)

OSHA Hospital eTool - HealthCare Wide Hazards Module: Electrical Hazards

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/hospital/hazards/electrical/electrical.html

Z32-15 - Electrical safety and essential electrical systems in health care facilities

http://www.csa-intl.org/onlinestore/GetCatalogItemDetails.asp?mat=2417182&Parent=875

NFPA 70E®: Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace®, 2009 Edition

CSA

The Effect of Static Charge Generated on Hospital Bedding

Holdstock, P. Wilson, N.:
British Textile Technol. Group, Manchester, UK


Back to top of page  

electrocautery hazards

Surgical Smoke and Infection Control

http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0195670105000770

The Mutagenicity of Electrocautery Smoke

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1561248

NIOSH HEALTH HAZARD EVALUATION REPORT -
health effects of exposure to the byproducts of surgical smoke

NIOSH (PDF file)

Control of Smoke From Laser/Electric Surgical Procedures

During surgical procedures using a laser or electrosurgical unit, the thermal destruction of tissue creates a smoke byproduct. Research studies have confirmed that this smoke plume can contain toxic gases and vapors such as benzene, hydrogen cyanide, and formaldehyde, bioaerosols, dead and live cellular material (including blood fragments), and viruses. At high concentrations the smoke causes ocular and upper respiratory tract irritation in health care personnel, and creates visual problems for the surgeon. The smoke has unpleasant odors and has been shown to have mutagenic potential.
Back to top of page  

ergonomic hazards

Safe Patient Handling & Movement

Audrey Nelson, Ph.D., RN, FAAN (ppt)

Ergonomics / Musculoskeletal Disorders / Human Factors

Healthcare Safety Info-eLink™

MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS PREVENTION SERIES

Occupational Health and Safety Council of Ontario (PDF file)

Guidelines for Nursing Homes

Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders - U.S. OSHA

MSI - Bed Making and Cleaning in Health Care

WorkSafe BC (PDF file)

Sonography

OSHA

Reference Guidelines for Safe Patient Handling

Occupational Health and Safety Agency for Healthcare in British Columbia (PDF file)

Ergonomic Patient Handling - Policy Guidelines

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (html)

Reference Guidelines for Safe Patient Handling

Occupational Health and Safety Agency for Healthcare in British Columbia (PDF file)

High-Risk Manual Handling of Patients in Healthcare

Work Safe BC (PDF file)

Transfer Assist Devices for Safer Handling of Patients -
A Guide for Selection and Safe Use

Work Safe BC (PDF file)

A Guide for Implementing a Safe Patient Handling Program in the Acute Care Setting

AOHP (PDF file)

Safety and Health Topics Ergonomics

Occupational Safety & Health Administration U.S.A. (html)

Cornell University Ergonomics Web

http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/

Work Safe BC - An Owner's Manual for Backs

http://www.worksafebc.com/publications/health_and_safety/by_topic/assets/pdf/back_talk.pdf

Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders

NIOSH Publications and Other Resources

Hospital Beds

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Oregon OSHA Website Links for Health Care Ergonomics & Safety Resources

Oregon OSHA

Patient Handling in a Military Treatment Facility

Virginia Polytechnic Institute University (ppt)

Patient Care Ergonomics Resource Guide: Safe Patient Handling & Movement

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (PDF file) http://www.waverleyglen.com/

PATIENT CARE ERGONOMIC PROGRAM

U.S. Veterans Health Administration (PDF file)

Computer Workstations Checklist
This checklist can help you create a safe and comfortable computer workstation.

U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration

Musculoskeletal Disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most common occupational illness in Great Britain, affecting 1.0 million people a year.

UK Health and Safety Executive

Calculating Recommended Weight Limit (RWL)

CCOHS

Assessing Relevant Handling Factors

CCOHS

Applications Manual for the Revised NIOSH Lifting Equation

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Assessing Facility & Patient Needs Towards Appropriate Selection of Safe-Lift Equipment

OSHA (ppt)

Safe Patient Handling and Movement

Audrey Nelson, Ph.D., RN, FAAN (ppt)

Back and Material Handling Issues

(ppt)

Computer Workstations - eTools

U.S.A. Occupational Safety & Health Administration

Laboratory Ergonomics

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

MSI - General X-ray Technologist

WorkSafe BC (PDF file)
Back to top of page  

Facilities Management Hazards

Maintenance, Trades & Construction Safety:
procedures, guidelines, and other resources for maintenance, trades, and construction activities.

University of California at Irvine - Environmental Health and Safety

PIPE TRADES - OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH RISKS

Construction Safety Association of Ontario (pdf)

Health and Safety for Woodworking Shops

Work Safe BC (pdf)

Construction Site Safety Handbook

The Real Estate Developers Association of Hong Kong (pdf)

Top 10 Construction Hazards

(ppt)

Construction eTool

U.S. OSHA

Confined Spaces - National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

CDC

Lockout - Industrial Accident Prevention Association

pdf

University of Toronto - Lockout Tagout Standard

pdf

OSHA Hospital eTool - Healthcare Wide Hazards Module: Slips/Trips/Falls

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/hospital/hazards/slips/slips.html

Prevention of Slips, Trips and Falls

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety

Guide to preventing slips, trips and falls

The State of Queensland (Department of Employment and Industrial Relations) (PDF file)

Books, leaflets and other resources to help you tackle slips and trips in your workplace

Health and Safety Executive - UK

Ladder Safety and Falls

Bob Emmerich - Safe-Con, LLC (ppt)

Slips, Trips and Falls in Hospital

National Patient Safety Agency (pdf)

Preventing Slips Trips and Falls

WCU 2007 (ppt)

Introduction to Fall Protection

The University of Tennessee
Office of Environmental Health & Safety (pdf)

Hand and Power Tools

U.S Occupational Safety & Health Administration

Safety and Health Topics - Ventilation

U.S Occupational Safety & Health Administration

Protecting Workers from Heat Illness

NIOSH

Equipment and Facilities Management

American Library Association

Electronic Library of Construction Health and Safety

Centre for Construction Research and Training

Construction Safety and Environmental Management Program

Brown University (PDF file)
Back to top of page  

Formalin / Formaldehyde Hazards

Safety and Health Topics: Formaldehyde

Occupational Safety and Health Administration U.S.A. (html)

Formaldehyde Awareness Training Booklet

Environmental Health & Safety, Iowa State University (PDF file)

Formaldehyde Exposure Measurement at Capital Health

(ppt)

Formaldehyde and Cancer: Questions and Answers

National Cancer Institute

Formaldehyde Control Plan

Wake Forest University, School of Medicine (PDF file)

Formaldehyde Exposure Control Policy

Columbia University (PDF file)

NIOSH Safety and Health Topic: Formaldehyde

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/formaldehyde/

Formalin (as formaldehyde)

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards

FORMALDEHYDE (37% SOLUTION, methanol free)

International Chemical Safety Cards

Formaldehyde

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry


Back to top of page  

Laser Hazards

NIOSH hazard controls HC11 - control of smoke from laser/electric surgical procedures

"During surgical procedures using a laser or electrosurgical unit, the thermal destruction of tissue creates a smoke byproduct. Research studies have confirmed that this smoke plume can contain toxic gases and vapors such as benzene, hydrogen cyanide, and formaldehyde, bioaerosols, dead and live cellular material (including blood fragments), and viruses. At high concentrations the smoke causes ocular and upper respiratory tract irritation in health care personnel, and creates visual problems for the surgeon. The smoke has unpleasant odors and has been shown to have mutagenic potential."

Operator Error is the Key Factor Contributing to Medical Laser Accidents

Harry Moseley
The Photobiology Unit, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee

CONTROL OF HAZARDS TO HEALTH FROM LASER RADIATION

HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE U.S. ARMY (PDF file)

SPECIAL OPERATIONS REPORT: LASER SAFETY

SPECIAL OPERATIONS REPORT: LASER SAFETY (PDF file)

Laser Safety Policy

DUKE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER (PDF file)

Laser Safety Manual

University of Pennsylvania

Preventing Operating Room Fires During Surgery

Massachusetts Department of Public Health (PDF file)

Laser Safety and the Eye: Hidden Hazards and Practical Pearls

Osama Bader, MD, and Harvey Lui, MD, FRCPC
Vancouver Hospital & Health Sciences Centre, and University of British Columbia

Controlling Surgical Smoke

Kay Ball, RN, BSN, MSA, Ph.D., CNOR, FAAN (PDF file)

Laser Safety

University of Ottawa

Safe Use of Lasers in Health Care Facilities

Canadian Standards Association

Use of Medical Lasers

OSHA - Healthcare-wide Hazards

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety - Laser Plumes - Health Care Facilities

http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/phys_agents/laser_plume.html

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety - Lasers- Health Care Facilities

http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/phys_agents/lasers.html

OSHA (U.S.A.) Technical Manual - Laser Hazards

http://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/otm_iii/otm_iii_6.html

Easy HAZ™ Basic

Laser-Professionals Inc.
for essential laser hazard analysis calculations and is designed to give users with minimal hazard calculation experience the most useful information in the simplest format. The emphasis is on easy.

Laser Safety Basics

Laser-Professionals Inc. (ppt)

Lessons Learned from Laser Accidents

Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility

Laser Safety

Nikon

Laser Safety Lessons Learned

Chicago Office Safety and Technical Services, Justin T. Zamirowski (PDF file)

Laser Exposure Events 2001–2005

U.S. Department of Energy (PDF file)
Back to top of page  

Latex Hazard

Latex Allergy A Prevention Guide

CDC

Potential for Sensitization and Possible Allergic Reaction To Natural Rubber Latex Gloves
and other Natural Rubber Products

U.S. OSHA

OSHA Hospital eTool - HealthCare Wide Hazards Module: Latex Allergy

U.S. OSHA

Latex Allergies

NIOSH


Back to top of page  

Laundry and Cleaning Staff Hazards

COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF AN ERGONOMIC INTERVENTION IN TWO HOSPITAL LAUNDRIES VS. A CONTROL LAUNDRY

Judy Village & Associates, School of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene,
University of British Columbia (PDF file)

Implementing Hygiene Monitoring Systems in Hospital Laundries in Order to Reduce Microbial Contamination of Hospital Textiles

S . Fijan , S . et. al
Journal of Hospital Infection , Volume 61 , Issue 1

Sharps Injuries Among Hospital Support Personnel

J . Shiao, Journal of Hospital Infection , Volume 49 , Issue 4

Hospital eTool - Laundry Module

OSHA

Laundry in Health Care Facilities

WorkSafe BC (PDF file)
Back to top of page  

Lock Out - tag out

Lockout - Industrial Accident Prevention Association

pdf

University of Toronto - Lockout Tagout Standard

pdf

Lockout/Tagout

"Lockout is defined in the Canadian standard CSA Z460-05 (R2010) "Control of Hazardous Energy - Lockout and Other Methods" as the "placement of a lock or tag on an energy-isolating device in accordance with an established procedure, indicating that the energy-isolating device is not to be operated until removal of the lock or tag in accordance with an established procedure". Lockout is one way to control hazardous energy. See the OSH Answers Hazardous Energy Control Programs for a description of the types of hazardous energy, and steps required in a control program. In practice, lockout is the isolation of energy from the system (a machine, equipment, or process) which physically locks the system in a safe mode. The energy-isolating device can be a manually operated disconnect switch, a circuit breaker, a line valve, or a block (Note: push buttons, selection switches and other circuit control switches are not considered energy-isolating devices). In most cases, these devices will have loops or tabs which can be locked to a stationary item in a safe position (de-energized position). The locking device (or lockout device) can be any device that has the ability to secure the energy-isolating device in a safe position. See the example of the lock and hasp combination in Figure 1 below. Tag out is a labelling process that is always used when lockout is required. The process of tagging out a system involves attaching or using an indicator (usually a standardized label) that includes the following information: Why the lockout/tag out is required (repair, maintenance, etc.). Time of application of the lock/tag. The name of the authorized person who attached the tag and lock to the system. Note: ONLY the authorized individual who placed the lock and tag onto the system is the one who is permitted to remove them. This procedure helps make sure the system cannot be started up without the authorized individual's knowledge." - CCOHS


Back to top of page  

Machine Safety

Prevention of Mechanical Hazards

CSST (pdf)

Safeguarding Equipment and Protecting Employees from Amputations

U.S. OSHA (pdf)

Best Practices on Conveyor Safety

Work Safe Alberta (pdf)
Back to top of page Back to top of page  

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Hazards

MRI Safety for Clinical Coordinators

Wendy Winkle - Indiana University School of Medicine (ppt)

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

U.S. FDA - Radiation-Emitting Products

ACR Guidance Document for Safe MR Practices: 2007

American Roentgen Ray Society (PDF file)

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Safety Study Guide

MR Center, Wayne State University

MRI Safety

(PDF file)

MRI Safety for Clinical Coordinators

Indiana Institute for Biomedical Imaging Sciences (IIBIS) Department of Radiology
Indiana University School of Medicine (ppt)

Biological Effects and Safety in Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Review

Valentina Hartwig et al - Int J Environ Res Public Health v.6(6); Jun 2009

Biological Effects and Safety in Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Review

Valentina Hartwig et al - Int J Environ Res Public Health v.6(6); Jun 2009

MRI and the Physical Agents (EMF) Directive

Institute of Physics Report (PDF file)

Occupational risk from static magnetic fields of MRI scanners

Jolanta Karpowicz et al - Laboratory of Electromagnetic Hazards, – National Research Institute Warszawa, Poland

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING HAZARDS AND SAFETY GUIDELINES

www.willis.com

Center for Advanced Brain Imaging

Georgia State University and Georgia Institute of Technology


Back to top of page  

Mercury Hazards

Mercury

U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration

MERCURY USE: HOSPITALS AND CLINICS

WISCONSIN MERCURY SOURCEBOOK: HOSPITALS (PDF file)

Reducing Mercury Use in Health Care

The Sustainable Hospitals Project

Enviro-Health Links - Mercury and Human Health

National Library of Medicine, Environmental Health and Toxicology

Mercury

International Chemical Safety Cards (NIOSH)

A Guide to Mercury Assessment and Elimination in HealthCare Facilities

(PDF file)
Back to top of page  

Methyl Methacrylate

Methyl Methacrylate

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards

METHYL METHACRYLATE

International Chemical Safety Cards

METHYL METHACRYLATE

U.S. EPA

Methyl Methacrylate

Human Health Effects - Toxnet


Back to top of page  

Morgue Hazards

Morgue Hazards

U.S. OSHA

Infective Agents in Fixed Human Cadavers: A brief review and suggested guidelines

Wiley InterScience - The Anatomical Review

Infection Control at Autopsy: a guide for pathologists and autopsy personnel

Current Diagnostic Pathology Volume 6, Issue 2, June 2000, Pages 75-83
ScienceDirect® - Elsevier B.V.

Universal Precautions and High-Risk Autopsies

Medscape

Autopsy Practice, Potential Sources of Occupational Hazards: A Review for Safety and Prevention

J Indian Acad Forensic Med. April - June 2015, Vol. 37, No. 2

An Autopsy Checklist: A Monitor of Safety and Risk Management

The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology: September 2016 - Volume 37 - Issue 3 - p 152–157

Autopsy Laboratory

Louis J. DiBerardinis et al - Guidelines for Laboratory Design: Health, Safety, and Environmental Considerations, Fourth Edition


Back to top of page  

Nanotechnology Hazards

Best Practices Guide to Synthetic Nanoparticle Risk Management

Claude Ostiguy et Brigitte Roberge,
Research and Expertise Support Department, IRSST, Quebec, Canada (PDF file)

Approaches to Safe Nanotechnology

CDC / NIOSH (PDF file)

Interim Guidance for Medical Screening and Hazard Surveillance for Workers Potentially Exposed to Engineered Nanoparticles

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (PDF file)

Nanomaterials and nanoparticles: Sources and toxicity

Cristina Buzea, Ivan. I. Pacheco Blandino, Kevin Robbie - Biointerphases vol. 2, issue 4 (2007) (PDF file)

NANOTECHNOLOGY

"Workers within nanotechnology-related industries have the potential to be exposed to uniquely engineered materials with novel sizes, shapes, and physical and chemical properties. Occupational health risks associated with manufacturing and using nanomaterials are not yet clearly understood. Minimal information is currently available on dominant exposure routes, potential exposure levels, and material toxicity of nanomaterials" - NIOSH
Back to top of page  

noise hazards

NOISE AND HEARING LOSS PREVENTION

NIOSH

Occupational Ototoxins (Ear Poisons) and Hearing Loss

U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine (PDF file)

Choose The Hearing Protection That's Right For You

NIOSH

Noise and Hearing Conservation

U.S. OSHA

Choose The Hearing Protection That's Right For You

U.S. OSHA

Noise and Hearing Conservation

U.S. OSHA


Back to top of page  

Occupational Stress Hazards in Healthcare

Occupational Stress Management - Information

Healthcare Safety Info-eLink™

Exposure to Stress: Occupational Hazards in Hospitals

CDC - National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Stress at Work

CDC - National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Stress

U.S. OSHA


Back to top of page  

Patient Lifting and Transfer Hazards

OSHA - HealthCare Wide Hazards Module: Ergonomics

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/hospital/hazards/ergo/ergo.html

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety - Ergonomic Patient Handling - Policy Guidelines

http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/hsprograms/patient_handling.html

Healthcare Ergonomics and Human Factors - Links to Resources

http://www.mtpinnacle.com/htm/ergonomics-human-factors.html


Back to top of page  

Sharps Hazard

Sharps Safety for Healthcare Settings

CDC

Hospital eTool - Healthcare Wide Hazards Module: Needlesticks / Sharps Injuries

OSHA

Enhanced Risk of Needlestick Injuries and Exposures to Blood and Body Fluids to Cardiac Anesthesiologists

Murali Chakravarthy (PDF file)

Use of Blunt-Tip Suture Needles to Decrease Percutaneous Injuries to Surgical Personnel

NIOSH (PDF file)

Use of Blunt-Tip Suture Needles to Decrease Percutaneous Injuries to Surgical Personnel

NIOSH Publication Number 2008-101

NeedleStick Forum

html

Needlestick Injuries

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety

The BD Injection Education Program: A program to reinforce and standardize injection technique

Becton, Dickinson and Company

Needlestick Prevention Guide

American Nurses Association (PDF file)

Needlestick Injuries among Surgeons in Training

Martin A. Makary, M.D., M.P.H - The New England Journal of Medicine (PDF file)

Needlestick and Sharps Injury Prevention

Susan Q. Wilburn, MPH, RN (PDF file)

Sharps Injuries in Healthcare Waste Handlers

J. I. BLENKHARN - Ann. Occup. Hyg., Vol. 52, No. 4, pp. 281–286, 2008 (PDF file)

Percutaneous Injury, Blood Exposure, and Adherence to Standard Precautions: Are Hospital-Based Health Care Providers Still at Risk?

Bradley N. Doebbeling et al - Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine (PDF file)

Hospital Safety Climate, Psychosocial Risk Factors and Needlestick Injuries in Japan

Derek R. SMITH - School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle (PDF file)

Guide to Managing Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens

USACHPPM Technical Guide (PDF file)

The International Sharps Injury Prevention Society

http://www.isips.org/index.php

Safety Conversion Management Process - BD Canada

Over the past decade, BD has helped many healthcare institutions implement safety-engineered medical devices. In fact, BD created the first safety-engineered injection device available in the world and BD is now a leader in safety-engineered products. In Canada, BD is pleased to partner with your institution to help you implement safety-engineered technologies. This process involves understanding your needs and practices, identifying improvement opportunities and implementing a specific program that insures a successful transition.

Canadian Websites - BD Canada

http://www.bd.com/ca/safety/resources/website_resources.asp

Workbook for Designing, Implementing, and Evaluating a Sharps Injury Prevention Program

U.S. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention

Sharps Injury Prevention Workbook

U.S. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (PDF file)

SCALPEL INJURIES IN THE OPERATING THEATRE

Amber M Watt - Royal Australasian College of Surgeons(PDF file)

Engineering Out Needle Stick Injuries

Mary Anne Moser, CRSP, CHSC, RPN, C.OHS (PDF file)

Healthcare Worker Safety; More Than Replacing Devices

(ppt)

Toronto Hospital Reduces Sharps Injuries by 80%, Eliminates Blood Collection Injuries

Laura Visser, Healthcare Quarterly, 9(1) 2006: 68-70

Use of Blunt-Tip Suture Needles to Decrease Percutaneous Injuries to Surgical Personnel:
Safety and Health Information Bulletin

NIOSH

International Healthcare Worker Safety Center

List of safety-engineered devices designed to prevent needlestick/blood and body fluid exposures to healthcare workers; updated regularly. University of Virginia Health System

Surgical Safety Devices

http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/epinet/safetydevice/surgical.cfm

British Columbia Nurses' Union Health and Safety video - "Needless Injury"

http://www.workingtv.com/needlessinjury.html#vid

Sharps Injuries in Healthcare Waste Handlers

Annals of Occupational Hygiene 2008 52(4):281-286

International Sharps Injury Prevention Society

http://www.isips.org/index.php

NEEDLESTICK INJURIES

Bandolier (PDF file)
Back to top of page  

Slips, trips and Falls

Preventing Falls:How to Develop Community-based Fall Prevention Programs for Older Adults

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Atlanta, Georgia 2008 (PDF file)

REDUCING FALLS AND INJURIES FROM FALLS

Safer Healthcare Now (PDF file)

Identifying Risk Factors of Falls among BC’s Healthcare Workers

Hasanat Alamgir & Dave Keen - Occupational Health & Safety Agency for Healthcare in BC (PDF file)

Slip, Trip, and Fall Prevention for Healthcare Workers

NIOSH / CDC (PDF file)

Slips, Trips and Falls in hospitals

The National Patient Safety Agency, London (PDF file)

Preventing Slips and Trips in the Workplace

Health and Safety Executive U.K.

Slips and Trips eLearning Package

Health and Safety Executive U.K.

OSHA Hospital eTool - Healthcare Wide Hazards Module: Slips/Trips/Falls

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/hospital/hazards/slips/slips.html

Prevention of Slips, Trips and Falls

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety

Health and Safety Executive - UK

Ladder Safety and Falls

Bob Emmerich - Safe-Con, LLC (ppt)

 


Back to top of page  

Surgery Hazards

Handbook of Occupational Hazards and Controls for Medical and Surgical Staff

Government of Alberta (PDF file)

UV-C Exposure and Health Effects in SurgicalPersonnel

David Sylvain, MS, CIH; Loren Tapp, MD, MS - (CDC) (PDF file)

Healthcare-Wide Hazards - Surgical Suite Module

OSHA

Use of Blunt-Tip Suture Needles to Decrease Percutaneous Injuries to Surgical Personnel:
Safety and Health Information Bulletin

CDC

Best Practices for Cleaning, Disinfection and Sterilization of Medical Equipment/Devices In All Health Care Settings, 3rd edition (2013)

Public Health Ontario

The Patient is on Fire! A Surgical Fires Primer

ECRI Institute


Back to top of page  

Xylene, Toluene, Benzene / Organic Solvent Hazards

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety - Health Effects of Xylene

http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/chem_profiles/xylene/health_xyl.html

Xylene

CDC

Organic Solvents

CDC

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety - Health Effects of Toluene

CCOHS

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety - Health Effects of Benzene

CCOHSl

Exposure to solvents in health care workers: assessment of the hepatic effects

Caciari T et al - Ann Ig. 2013 Mar-Apr;25(2):125-36. doi: 10.7416/ai.2013.1914

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND THE WORKPLACE (organic solvents)

CDC

Solvents: a threat to workers and their children

Workers Health & Safety Centre

Organic Solvents Clinical Presentation

Medscape

Exposure to volatile organic compounds in healthcare settings

Ryan F LeBouf et al - Occup Environ Med. 2014 Sep; 71(9): 642–650

 


Disclaimer Statement

Access the Legal Disclaimer

 


Healthcare Safety Info-eLink™ is a trademark (2007) of Pinnacle Enterprises Canada