Safety for Health Science Students

2 Clinical Rules Students must at all times: –stay within assigned unit –follow facility policy –dress appropriately –act in a respectful, courteous manner –be ready to leave at the proper time –work within your scope of practice doing what you are qualified to dodoing what you are qualified to do

3 Fire Elements of fire –oxygen –heat (a spark or flame) –fuel One of these must be eliminated to extinguish a fire. Fire prevention –storage of flammable materials –maintenance of electrical equipment –non smoking facility

4 In Case of a Fire Know where extinguishers and emergency exits are Remember “R A C E” –R – rescue –A – alarm –C – confine –E – extinguish

5 Fire Extinguishers All fire extinguishers must be serviced yearly by a professional and checked monthly by the safety team Class APressurized WaterWood, paper, cloth Class BCarbon Dioxidegrease, oil Class CDry Chemical (potassium bicarbonate or potassium chloride) electrical Class ABC Graphite-type chemical all purpose

6 Using a Fire Extinguisher Remember the acronym “P A S S” –P -- pull the pin –A -- aim the nozzle –S -- squeeze the trigger –S – sweep from side to side

7 Hazardous Materials A hazardous material is any substance that presents a physical or health hazard. OSHA requires that employees understand the risks and know how to handle hazardous substances. Physical hazards can cause fire or explosions. Health hazards can cause be acute (short) or chronic (long) term.

8 OSHA Occupational Safety & Health Administration Requires that: All substances must be labeled Labels must identify: –physical & health hazards –precaution measures –PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) –directions for using substance safely –storage and disposal information –labels MAY NOT be removed

9 MSDS Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) provide detailed information about –Product & company identification –Ingredient information –Hazard identification –First aid measures –Fire fighting measures –Accidental release measures –Handling & storage –Exposure controls/ PPE –Stability & reactivity

10 MSDS Employees (students) must know the location of the MSDS and how to use them

11 Standard (Universal) Precautions: Used to reduce the risk of exposure of skin or mucous membranes that could come in contact with materials that may contain blood- borne pathogens OR Designed to reduce transmission of microorganisms from both diagnosed and undiagnosed infection sources.

12 Standard (Universal) Precautions: 12 MAY include protective barriers such as: –Gloves –Gowns –Aprons –Masks –Protective eyewear

13 What are Standard Precautions? Precautions that apply to all patients and all body fluids except perspiration: blood or other body fluids containing blood semen vaginal secretions feces nasal secretions, tears urine saliva vomit etc * use them all the time*

14 Transmission Based Precautions: Required, in addition to Standard Precautions, where airborne transmission droplet transmission contact transmission of infectious organisms may occur. special precautions for antibiotic- resistant microorganisms and patients with immunosuppressed conditions. Common transmission based precautions include: hand washing cleaning & sanitation of surfaces.

15 STANDARD PRECAUTIONS: How to Practice 1. Handwashing 2. Gloves 3. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 4. Sanitizing 5. Waste Disposal 6. Immunization

16 ADDITIONAL PPE Mask Aprons Gowns Face shields

17 Four Main Reasons for Using Proper Body Mechanics Correct use makes lifting, pulling and pushing easier Muscles work best when used correctly Correct use prevents unnecessary fatigue and strain saves energy. Correct use prevents unnecessary fatigue and strain saves energy. 17

18 Good Body Mechanics Rules 1. Use a broad base of support. 2. Don’t twist and lift. 3. Don’t bend for long periods of time. 4. Get help if the load is too heavy. 5. Bend from the hips and knees, not the waist. 6. Use the strongest muscles to do the job. 7. Push or pull using the weight of your body. 8. Carry objects close to the body.

19 Preventing Muscle & Back Injuries Ask for help when lifting or moving heavy objects. Always use large muscles when lifting or moving heavy objects. –Squat when lifting heavy objects. –Keep objects close to your body.