Page 51 - Compendium Chapters for Course 1 (IC, DPA, OSHA)

Chemicals present a variety of hazards in the dental office because they may be flammable, toxic, caustic, corrosive, and carcinogenic (cancer causing). The Hazard Communications Officer must take on the role of Safety Officer when ensuring that a hazardous chemical inventory listing of all products used in the office is maintained.
When a product is dispensed or stored in a non-original container – also known as a secondary container – the item must be appropriately tagged and labeled in a manner which communicates the warnings for proper care, use, storage, PPE and emergency care. The warnings must correspond with the MSDS for the specific product. A container properly labeled when received from the supplier or manufacturer does not require an additional label. The exception for labeling is single-use or “per-patient” dispensed items or products.
MSDS Label Components
The National Fire Protection Association rating system is used on MSDS (SDS) to rate the four areas of specific concern to healthcare workers:
Red Section: Flammability Blue Section: Health Yellow: Instability
White: Special Hazards/PPE
The dental office must also maintain a hazardous materials log, which is a list or binder of all hazardous materials used in the office, where is item is located, route of entry into the body and targeted organs.
The dentist is legally responsible to provide the training of staff in potentially hazardous materials and the hazard communication program developed for the office for new employees within 10 days of hire and whenever a new hazardous material is introduced into the office as well as at least annually thereafter.
Training must include:
• Availability of MSDS materials
• Hazards of chemicals and proper handling
• An explanation of the labeling of hazardous chemicals in secondary containers
• Explanation of OSHA regulations
• How employees can obtain and use the appropriate hazard information for their safety
Employee training can be handled and conducted at staff meetings using interactive opportunities – meaning that staff and the trainer need to be able to discuss and address
Intro Page - 51
Introductory Chapter: Dental Practice Act, Infection Control and Cal-OSHA
The California RDAEF: A Compendium for Licensure Success © The Foundation for Allied Dental Education, Inc. 2016 Copyright protected. All rights reserved