General Safety
Safety: A HHC Core Value
We do the Safe thing for our patients, colleagues, and community
Why is this required for all HHC colleagues?
• Provides General Safety education and awareness required by OSHA, CMS, the NRC, and DEEP
• Supports our HHC core values of Caring and Safety
• Prevents occupational injuries as we strive to attain an injury free workplace
• Strives for a workplace free of acts or threats of violence to protect colleagues and patients
Additional detailed training may be assigned to you based on your role and responsibilities.
What’s new since last year?
• HHC policy on lithium ion batteries and charging restrictions
• Clarification on the definition of incidental spills of hazardous substances
• Workplace violence prevention is now a separate course
General Safety
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HHC Safety Organization
• Acute care facilities have Safety Officers and Environment of Care Committees
• Sites with 25 or more colleagues have standing Colleague Safety Committees
• Ask your supervisor if you have any Safety questions or concerns
• Safety is everyone’s responsibility
“If you see something, say something!”
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Fire Definition and Awareness
• Definition: What is a fire?
For the purposes of education a fire event can include:
– An actual fire with visible flames
– Visible smoke
– Suspected fire with charred or burnt items present
• Fire Awareness- The three sides or sources of the fire triangle are fuel, oxygen and
heat. When these components come together in the proper proportions, a fire can occur.
• Sources are abundant in a healthcare setting
– Fuel-combustible agents such as paper, blankets, clothing
– Oxygen-such as ambient air flow, O2 tanks and O2 in the wall outlets
– Heat- such as a cigarette, open flame, hot work, appliances
nust.edu.pk
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Fire Communication
When you hear the fire alarm, you may not know if it is a drill or a true fire
emergency. Treat every alarm as if it is a true emergency and respond accordingly.
• At facilities with overhead paging systems, plain language communication is used
“Fire Alarm Activation” + Location
• At facilities without overhead paging alarm systems have audible and visible indicators
alerting staff to the presence of fire and smoke
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Fire Communication
DO NOT:
• Go to the fire location, unless you are a member of a First/Fire Response Team
• Cross through fire doors
• Use elevators (Exception: ONLY if there is a direct clinical need by using an elevator furthest
away from the building in alarm)
• Call the switchboard and ask if this is a real emergency or a drill
• Return to normal operations, until you hear the fire alarm activation “ALL CLEAR”
announcement
IMPORTANT:
Explain to visitors, for their safety, that they are not allowed to cross through fire doors or
use the elevators
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RACE for Fire Response
In the event of fire each colleague is to apply and follow RACE: The
RACE acronym can help you remember what to do in the
event of a fire:
•R - Remove/Rescue
•A - Alarm/Alert
•C - Confine/Contain
•E - Extinguish/Evacuate
Note: It is important to keep in mind that although the steps are
presented in a specific order, they may overlap in many situations.
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R-Rescue A-Alarm/Alert
R - Remove/Rescue
A - Alarm/Alert
C - Confine/Contain
E - Extinguish/Evacuate
• Rescue persons in immediate danger
• Remove
– For business occupancies or areas where patient care
does not occur, you can remove yourself from the area
with the fire
• Activate the alarm
Alarm initiation may include any or all of the following:
• Calling out for help to someone else to pull/activate the alarm
• Activating a manual pull station
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C-Contain
• Confine/Contain
A fire only takes a couple of minutes to spread and double in size! It
takes 5-7 minutes for the Fire Department to arrive.
➢ Why Confine/Contain?
Closing the door to the room of fire origin can:
• Prevent smoke and other toxic combustion of products from
spreading to the rest of the facility
• Help minimize the flow of oxygen to the fire
• Save lives
Note: It's what you do in the first 2-minutes that can mean the
difference between preventing an actual fire event and someone
losing their life.
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R - Remove/Rescue
A - Alarm/Alert
C - Confine/Contain
E - Extinguish/Evacuate
E-Extinguish
When to use?
R - Remove/Rescue
A - Alarm/Alert
C - Confine/Contain
E - Extinguish/Evacuate
Only consider using a fire extinguisher if:
• You have the right extinguisher
• The fire is small and you are confident of your ability and
training to use a fire extinguisher properly
• You can extinguish the fire without allowing your escape
route to become blocked by fire
Be aware of fire re-ignition. Do NOT turn your back on the
fire even after you have knocked it down with the extinguisher!
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E-Extinguish
Fire Extinguisher Operation
Use the PASS acronym to help you remember how to operate a fire
extinguisher:
P: Pull the pin on the extinguisher.
A: Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, from six to ten feet away.
S: Squeeze the handle in five-second bursts.
➢ While squeezing, avoid moving towards the fire too quickly.
This can cause the fire to pushed backwards and flare up.
S: Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side across the base of the fire.
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E-Evacuate:
R - Remove/Rescue
A - Alarm/Alert
C - Confine/Contain
E - Extinguish/Evacuate
Defend-in-Place
When evacuation becomes necessary, Healthcare facilities use an important strategy
called Defend-in-Place.
Note: Full evacuation of sick patients can be difficult and dangerous and initiated by the
responding Fire Dept.
Defend-in-Place refers to the defending against a fire, while remaining inside the
building, but relocating/evacuating horizontally and vertically beyond identified
fire/smoke barriers.
With Defend-in-Place:
• Patients are evacuated from the smoke/fire zone to a protected location within
the building beyond a smoke/fire door or partition
• Patients closest to the fire are moved first
Note: Defend in place location have been pre-determined.
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E-Evacuate:
Taking Action
Your Role: Be prepared to take action for possible evacuation
When evacuating patients:
• Do not evacuate any patient past where the fire originated
• Move charts with patients
Horizontal vs. vertical evacuation
• Always try to evacuate horizontally beyond a smoke barrier
• During vertical evacuation, use stairwells, NOT elevators
If the fire is away from your area:
• Place patients/visitors back into their rooms.
• Close doors, clear hallways and listen for further instructions.
Remember: Fire especially smoke may spread far and wide from the original event.
Heat and smoke rise, smoke travels down corridors, water flows down and power can be lost.
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Fire Prevention
Fire Alarm Systems
Fire alarm systems include both automatic and manual devices.
Automatic devices:
• Smoke detectors/heat detection
• Sprinkler systems
For sprinkler & heat detection systems to operate correctly, keep boxes and equipment on
shelves a minimum of 18 inches away from the ceiling.
Manual alarm devices: Pull stations
• Fire alarm pull stations are painted red and located near exits as well as other areas
Each Colleague:
Must be familiar with the location of manual pull stations. It's important to be prepared to
initiate the alarm promptly, if you ever discover a fire.
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Fire Prevention
Smoke Doors and Partitions
Hospital and other facilities are equipped with:
• Automatic fire doors
• Fire and smoke partitions
These structures separate facilities into independent zones so that fire and
smoke don't spread.
Your Role:
Fire doors must be kept clear to close automatically in the event of a fire!
Make sure that automatic fire doors are not:
• Blocked
• Propped, tied or wedged open for any reason
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Fire Prevention
Smoke Doors and Partitions
Movement through closed fire doors:
Fire doors will close automatically in the event of a fire.
There are only two allowances for traveling through fire doors
1. For evacuation reasons
2. Due to clinical need
When one of the two above situations is encountered:
• First feel the fire door handle to tell if it is warm or hot
• If it is not warm or hot, crack the door open slightly to see if smoke appears on the
other side
• If no smoke appears, continue to the next set of fire doors or your destination
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Fire Prevention
Emergency Exit Route and Doors
Know your surroundings. Emergency exit routes and doors are another important safeguard
in the event of fire.
Each Colleague is responsible for:
• Knowing exit and evacuation routes in their respective departments
• Keeping exit routes and exits, including doorways and hallways, free of obstacles
• Knowing where to find and how to use equipment for evacuating and transporting patients
during a fire
• Interim Life Safety Measures may be put into place when doors are compromised and/or exit
have changed due to construction or another change
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Fire Prevention
Lithium Ion Batteries
With the progression of technology comes the increased use of Lithium-Ion Batteries in
electronics such as cell phones, laptop computers, motorized scooters and electric cars to name
a few.
Though generally safe, precautions need to be taken as fires with Lithium-Ion Batteries can be
catastrophic and difficult to contain. The following precautions shall be taken:
• No “After-market” charging devices should be used when charging phones, laptops, etc.
Chargers shall comply with manufacturers recommendations.
• The charging of battery operated scooters and/or eBikes is strictly forbidden in any leased or
owned Hartford Healthcare Facility.
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Fire Prevention
Lithium Ion Batteries
Take CHARGE when dealing with Lithium Ion Batteries.
• C- buy and use Certified products that are UL Listed
• H- Handle batteries with care. Follow manufacturer's recommendations
• A- Always be on the Alert for issues when charging and using Lithium Ion Batteries (ie overheating,
smoking, deformities)
• R- Recycle batteries responsibly per HHC Protocol.
• G- Get out immediately when there is a Lithium Ion Battery fire.
• E- Educate yourself and others as to where charging areas are and about adhering to the HHC
Lithium Ion Battery policy as well as your entity's Fire Response Plan
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Managing Patient’s Oxygen Supply
As applicable
During a fire emergency:
• It may be necessary to shut off all medical gases in an area to
decrease the supply of oxygen to the fire
• To maintain patient safety, it is necessary to coordinate with
medical staff if medical gases including oxygen need to be shut
off
• The Charge Nurse or their delegate, Unit Resource Nurse and
Respiratory Therapists are responsible for turning off corridor
oxygen valve(s) ONLY IN THE EVENT OF A REAL FIRE
EMERGENCY in which VISIBLE flame impingement is likely in
the area of a wall oxygen port
• Unique considerations apply to the use of oxygen in home health
care. They are found in the Home Oxygen Therapy Policy posted
on Policy Tech
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Computer Ergonomics
➢ Many individuals adjust their work position to fit their computer workstation while they
should adjust the workstation to fit them
➢ This poor working posture coupled with repetitive motions can lead to wear and tear on
tendons, muscles, and nerves
Examples of poor working posture:
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Sitting too high in the chair so feet are
dangling or propped on base of chair
Sitting too low so body is slouched
Sitting to the front of the chair with the back
unsupported
Supporting the upper body through the arms
on hard surfaces
Using keyboard & mouse at different heights
Reaching up or out for keyboard and mouse
Leaning forward or using excessive neck
motions to view monitor(s)
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Suggestions to improve working posture:
•
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Match your workstation to your normal working
height (hips slightly higher than knees feet on
floor)
Keep items you are using frequently within elbow
to fingertip reach (i.e. keyboard and mouse)
Keyboard AND mouse should be at elbow height
Keep arms by your side and minimize pressure
through arms and hands while keying and mousing
Adjust monitor(s) so you can view in upright
position without excessive nodding or turning of
head
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Back Safety-Safe Lifting of Objects
Lifting the Load
1.
Start the lift by putting your feet
close to the object. Get a firm
footing
Carrying the Load
Setting the Load Down
▪ Walk slowly and surely
2. Squat down—Let your legs to do the
work, not your back
As you carry the load:
▪ Keep your back straight or slightly
arched
2.
Center your body over your feet
3.
Squat down like a professional
weightlifter, bending your knees. ▪ Never twist your back
Keep your back straight or slightly
arched. You want your legs to do
▪ Avoid leaning over
the lifting, not your back
▪ Avoid lifting a load over your head
Grasp the load securely with your
hands, and pull the load close to
▪ If you become tired, set the load down,
you
and rest for a few moments
4.
5.
Smoothly lift straight up
1. Position yourself where you want to
set the load
▪ Use your feet to change directions
Note:
❑ NEVER twist you body while lifting, carrying, or setting down the load
❑ ALWAYS Keep your head up as if looking straight ahead, not down
Back Safety/Safe Lifting content courtesy of University of Arkansas Environmental Health and Safety Department
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Back Safety-Safe Handling of Patients
Back Safety Facts & Guidance
Mobility Aids
• Lifting over 35 pounds or
pushing/pulling more than 48
pounds while mobilizing patients
can cause damage to the spine
• Gait belts, walkers or other walking aids for patients that
have difficulty walking
• Standing aids for patients that have difficulty with pivot
transfers or need a little assistance in standing
• Most patients weigh much more
than what the average
healthcare worker can safely lift
Assistive Devices
• Using proper lifting technique is
not enough to prevent injuries
while repositioning & transferring
patients
•
• Use the Dionne’s Egress Test
to assess the patient’s mobility
before attempting to reposition,
transfer or ambulate
• Patients who show any limitation
in mobility should be moved
using a Mobility Aid or
Assistive Device
General Safety
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Stand lifts for transferring or toileting patients with limited
standing ability
Floor based full body lifts (Hoyer) or Overhead lifts to transfer
dependent patients in and out of bed
Friction reducing sheets, slide boards and air transfer devices for
sliding patients from one surface to another
Overhead lifts or bed adjustments such as Trendelenburg, max
inflate, and turn assist to reposition patients
Beach Chair position or transfer to Cardiac/Stretcher chairs for
medically compromised or Bariatric patients
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Ergonomics Concern
Who to Contact?
Please email Ergoevaluation@hhchealth.org with:
➢ any questions or concerns you may have with office or general ergonomics
➢ requests for ergonomic evaluations or assistance
If you have questions or concerns with safe patient handling, please contact your
local Colleague Health Department.
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Slips Trips and Falls
Tips for preventing slips, trips and falls in the workplace
•
Do not climb on chairs, desk, etc. - call Engineering if a ladder is needed
•
Keep floors clear and uncluttered in your work area to eliminate tripping hazards
•
Wear appropriate footwear for current weather conditions and change once inside if necessary
•
Use designated walkways, do not walk through gardens or climb over snow banks
•
Use interior paths where possible during inclement weather
•
Keep your eyes on the path, do not be distracted by texting or focusing on your cell phone
•
Be especially careful where spills or liquids on the floor may be encountered –
cafeterias/sinks/restrooms etc.
•
Be especially careful where surfaces may be uneven- thresholds/sidewalks/parking lots etc.
•
Use handrails while on stairs, take one step at a time
•
If you have to walk on a slippery surface, take short, flat-footed steps, make wide corners, and
keep your hands out of your pockets
•
Report unsafe conditions immediately to Engineering or your supervisor
*The listed items are important all the time, but become
especially important during inclement weather.
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Physical Safety
Compressed Gas/Cylinder Safety
➢ The use of compressed gasses in health care is widespread and can be
found throughout many facilities
➢ Common to have patients and visitors who use portable oxygen cylinders
➢ Cylinders containing compressed gases are heavy and awkward to move
Handling and Storage
Compressed gas cylinders should be handled only by those familiar with the
hazards and who are trained in the proper handling, transport and storage.
• Cylinders must be properly secured when in:
– Transit or use (by placement into a single or multi-rack or by single
chain connected to the wall)
– Storage (either full or empty in the respective areas)
NOTE: Hazards such as fire, explosion, chemical burns, poisoning, and cold
burns could occur if gases accidentally escape from the cylinder due to
mishandling or improper storage.
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Physical Safety
Portable O2 Container Safety
• Portable oxygen containers can become safety hazards if not handled and stored properly
• If free standing containers are knocked over and become damaged, they can become missiles
with enough force to drive through cinder block walls
• Oxygen also promotes combustion, which can create a fire hazard
• Containers must be stored securely in approved holders or with chains and straps
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Caution Areas
Radiation Safeguards
Everyone should be aware of the potential for Radiation
Exposure because that exposure, depending upon the type, could
cause them harm.
NOTE: Repeated radiation exposure can increase the risk of cancer
Anyone who might come in contact with radiation must use
standard precautions including those providing direct patient care
or non-patient care related activities such as cleaning.
DO NOT enter any procedure rooms marked with the
yellow/maroon radiation signs, unless you are:
• Authorized or instructed to do so
• Trained or qualified
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Caution Area
Radiation Safeguards:
Time, Distance and Shielding
The three key factors for limiting your exposure to
radiation are time, distance and shielding:
• Minimize amount of time that you are exposed to the
source
• Maximize distance between you and the source
• Use appropriate shielding to absorb the energy of
radioactive particles, and prevent them from hitting you
If you use time, distance and shielding effectively, you
will keep your radiation exposure As Low As Reasonably
Achievable [ALARA].
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Caution Area
Magnetic Resonance Imaging [MRI]
The MRI uses powerful magnetic and radiofrequency fields, which
are very useful in patient treatments.
A hazard for MRI fields is projectile effects
➢ This means, Ferromagnetic objects, like an oxygen tank, will be attracted to
the magnet even if the scanner is not in use
NOTE: The magnet in the MRI scanner is ALWAYS ON
Removal of Metallic Objects
Anyone entering the high-magnetic-field area must first remove items such as:
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purse, wallet or money clip
credit cards and other cards with magnetic stripes
hearing aids
metal jewelry (earrings, watches, etc.)
pens, paper clips and safety pins
keys and coins
hair barrettes/hairpins
hand tools (tape measures, screwdriver, etc.)
any article of clothing with metal such as: zippers, buttons, snaps, hooks, underwire,
shoes, belt buckles, etc.
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Interesting Fact:
A metallic object as small
as a paper clip can become
a significant danger, causing
a missile effect reaching a
terminal velocity of 40 MPH
Caution Areas
Magnetic Resonance Imaging [MRI] Continued...
It is important to know that the MRI scanner can disrupt
functioning of battery-powered equipment and devices such
as: pacemakers, neuro stimulators, cochlear implants,
infusion pumps, etc.
Note: Visitors and untrained staff members must be
screened before entering the MRI suite.
Warning Signs:
Signs will be posted outside the strong-magnet-field area.
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Interesting Fact:
The MRI’s magnetic field is
approximately 30,000 times
greater than the magnetic field
that surrounds the earth
Electrical Safety
Required Practices
Electrical Equipment:
• Is an integral component of health care in both patient facing and administrative areas
• Practices:
• Electrical equipment should be inspected before each use
• Do not use electrical equipment if it is damaged
• Do not use equipment with frayed or damaged cords or plugs
• Circuits must not be overloaded
• Circuit breakers should be identified
• Circuit Panels must be locked with a 3-foot clearance for storage
• Do not stack items on or behind electrical equipment
• Do not nail or staple power cords to walls or floors
• Do not use electrical equipment if it is wet due to a liquid spill
• Do not stack items on power cords
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Electrical Safety
Lock Out/Tag Out
Lock-Out/Tag-Out is a method used by Authorized Users as a means
to control hazardous energy.
• A lock and a tag will be placed on a piece of equipment, a valve or an
appliance to isolate it from being used when it is being serviced or is out of
service
Authorized User: such as an Electrician or a Maintenance Worker
➢ If you are not an Authorized User then may be an Affected User
Affected User: someone who may need to use a piece of equipment that has
been locked out
Note: If you see a Lock-Out/Tag-Out on a piece of equipment - NEVER cut or
disregard a Lock-Out/Tag-Out as serious injury or even death can occur!
For questions on a Lock-Out/Tag-Out, call the number and Authorized User
listed on the tag or ask your supervisor
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Hazard Communication
YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established a Hazard Communication
Standard that says employees have a right to know the hazards of the chemicals to which they are
exposed when working. They also need to know what protective measures are available to prevent
adverse effects from occurring. (per OSHA regulation CFR 1910.1200)
Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
Safety Data Sheets (SDS): document that contains information for the safe handling, use,
storage and disposal of potentially hazardous chemicals.
➢ This is where to find a chemical’s ingredients, health hazards, and disposal procedures
SDS are available on-line through the Environment of Care web page using the following link:
https://intranet.hartfordhealthcare.org/inside-hhc/organization-links/msdsonline
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Hazardous Chemical Labels
Labeling of Hazardous Chemicals
All chemical manufacturers are required to label all hazardous
materials containers. Labels must be written in English.
Label Elements Include:
• Product Identifier
• Supplier Identification
• Pictograms
• Signal words
• Hazard statement
• Precautionary statements
Signal Words
If either "Danger“ (more severe) or "Warning“ (less severe)
appear on a label, these are considered "signal words,"
which are used to emphasize the hazard and discriminate
between levels of hazard.
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Note: If a chemical is transferred, the new container
must be labeled with the Label Elements.
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Hazard Warning Label Pictograms
Health Hazard Pictogram
• Carcinogen
• Mutagenicity
• Reproductive Toxicity
• Respiratory Sensitizer
• Target Organ Toxicity
• Aspiration Toxicity
General Safety
Exclamation Mark Pictogram
• Irritant [skin and eye]
• Skin Sensitizer
• Acute Toxicity
• Narcotic Effects
• Respiratory Tract Irritant
• Hazardous to Ozone Layer
(non-mandatory)
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Flame Pictogram
• Flammables
• Pyrophoric
• Self-Heating
• Emits Flammable Gas
• Self-Reactive
• Organic Peroxides
Hazard Warning Label Pictograms
Corrosion Pictogram
• Skin Corrosion/Burns
• Eye Damage
• Corrosive to Metals
Exploding Bomb Pictogram
• Explosives
• Self-Reactive
• Organic Peroxides
Flame Over Circle Pictogram
• Oxidizers
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Gas Cylinder Pictogram
• Gases Under Pressure
Skull and Crossbones Pictogram
• Acute Toxicity (fatal or toxic)
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Cleaning Hazardous Material-Spills and Leaks
Hazardous material spills can be serious and MUST be cleaned up immediately.
In the case of a hazardous material spill, colleagues should:
• Obtain the appropriate SDS
• Clean up the chemical spill using spill kit in your area for that particular hazard/chemical
• Follow local procedures to secure the area and engage additional response resources if necessary
Colleagues should avoid handling any potentially hazardous material unless they:
• Received training on the hazards associated with the use of the material
• Wear proper personal protective equipment [PPE]
• Work in an area with adequate ventilation
Note: Report spills to your Supervisor and complete a Riskonnect
report documenting the spill.
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General Awareness Spill Response
For Large spills or spills of unknown content:
• Evacuate staff and patients from spill area
• Seal off area
• Notify Public Safety (if applicable) or 911
• Public Safety will notify Industrial Hygiene or spill response vendor
Small spills (incidental spills) of known content:
• May be cleaned up by operator/clinician and the waste disposed in proper container
• Notify supervisor and complete a Riskonnect report documenting the spill
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Hazard Communication - Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is:
• A fungicide and bactericide commonly used to preserve a biological specimen
• A known animal carcinogen (possibly human) and long term exposure has
been linked to cancer
• A sensitizer to both the skin and respiratory tract
– A sensitizer is a “chemical that causes a substantial proportion of exposed
people/animals to develop an allergic reaction in normal tissue after
repeated exposure to the chemical." –OSHA definition
• Irritating to eyes, nose, throat and lungs
– High levels of exposure could cause coughing, difficulty breathing,
bronchial spasms and pulmonary edema. If you experience any of these
symptoms, go immediately to the Emergency Department.
Formalin, formaldehyde that has been diluted with methanol and water, is very
common in Health Care and can be found in laboratories, operating rooms,
offices where tissue samples are collected, and storage areas.
*Areas that have formalin should have a spill kit and technicians should be trained in spill
clean up for incidental spills. Refer to local formaldehyde policies for more information.
Note: Additional training is provided to colleagues who routinely work with
formaldehyde
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Where exposures may
exceed any of the OSHA
limits the following must
occur:
• Signage at entryways
• Access limited to authorized
personnel only
General Awareness of Common Healthcare Waste
There are several waste streams in the Healthcare Industry and every item disposed
of has a proper receptacle
Why do we care about it?
• To comply with federal, state, and local laws & regulations
• To protect the environment
• Through effective management, reducing inappropriate disposal of all waste streams improves safety and eliminate
substantial costs
• General spill management
*Please note all the waste streams in healthcare and pay attention those that best pertain to your job role; clinical job roles
will get further detailed training.
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General Awareness for Sharps Containers
➢ Sharps containers may only be filled to the fill line or ¾ of the container. This is to allow the container to close properly
and to prevent injury to yourself or your colleagues
Why do we care about it?
• To protect yourself and your colleagues from sustaining a sharps injury
• If an exposure occurs you may be unable to identify the source patient preventing any source patient testing
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Healthcare Waste Containers
* Not all containers exist at each campus – efforts are
underway to standardize containers across the system
Container
Instructions
Examples
Sharps
(Y/N)
Control Substance
Witness Waste CsRX
Place all controlled
substances/witness waste in
bin. Drug ONLY. NO
packaging, wrappers or
syringes
HYDROmorphone
Oxycodone
Morphine
Codeine
ALPHAZplam
DiazePAM
LORazepam
No Sharps
Yes
RCRA Sharps / Dual Waste
Sharps or glass vials that
contain or came in contact
with any of the following
medications
Epinephrine
Nitroglycerin
Nicotine
Physostigmine
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Syringes or vials that contain any medicationIncluding Insulin
Covid Vaccine
Sharps or
Glass Vials
No
Floor RCRA / Non-Hazardous
Pharmaceuticals
IV Bags & tubing or items
contaminated with:
Epinephrine
Nitroglycerin
Nicotine
Trace & Bulk Chemo Waste
Inner packaging from P- Listed Waste
Any liquid pharmaceutical waste- In its container
sealed.
Non-Hazardous Pharmaceutical Waste
No Sharps
No
Residual (Trace) Chemo Waste
Residual Chemo to include
empty IV bags, tubing, vials,
or syringes
Empty vial/ampoule (broken or whole)
Empty syringe
Empty IV /Tubing
Gowns, Gloves, Goggles
Wipes
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Sharps or
Glass Vials
No
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Controlled
Substance
(Y/N)
Healthcare Waste Containers
Container
Instructions
Examples
Red Bag
Bio-hazardous
Waste Incineration
Place pathology waste
specimens (labeled for
incineration) must only be
packaged in corrugated boxes
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•
•
Place bio hazardous waste
into red bags. See hospital
policy for more information.
•
Red Bio-hazardous
Waste Bag
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•
Sharps Bins
Place all empty syringes, with
or without a needle into
sharps containers.
General Safety
•
•
* Not all containers exist at each campus – efforts are
underway to standardize containers across the system
Sharps
(Y/N)
Controlled
Substance
(Y/N)
Human tissue
Organ
Body part removed during surgery,
autopsy or other medical procedure.
Placenta
Lab Specimen (without preservative
agent)
No
No
Blood and blood product in plastic
containers
Body fluids (e.g., hemovacs, pleurevacs,
wound drains)
Blood-saturated materials
Bloody suction canisters
Blood transfusion tubing and bag
Chest tubes
No
No
Empty sharps, as long as they have not
come in contact with a P-listed agent
Broken or unbroken glass contaminated
with blood or body fluid
Empty
Sharps Only
No
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Healthcare Waste Containers
* Not all containers exist at each campus – efforts are
underway to standardize containers across the system
Container
Instructions
Examples
Regular Trash Bin
Throw non-sharps items that are
empty, non- hazardous, and noninfectious into the regular trash
•
•
•
•
•
•
Empty IV bags
Med wrappers
Paper towels
Gloves (Uncontaminated)
Empty drug vials (non P-listed)
Outer/inner packaging from solid
pharmaceuticals except P-listed inner
packaging
No
No
Universal Waste
Recycling only
•
•
•
•
Electronic Waste (e-waste)
Intact Mercury Containing devices
Fluorescent lamps and bulbs
Battery waste (Alkaline batteries do not fall
under the UW category as they do not
contain hazardous materials. Dispose of in
regular trash)
Certain pesticides
No
No
•
General Safety
2024
Sharps
(Y/N)
46
Controlled
Substance
(Y/N)
Congratulations!
You have completed this course.
Please proceed to the test.
A score of 80% or higher is required to pass.
General Safety
2024
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