• OSHA
• CDC
• State government
• Federal government

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

to ensure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education, and assistance.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

located in Atlanta, GA

• monitor health
• detect and investigate health problems
• conduct research to enhance prevention
• develop and advocate sound public health policies
• implement prevention strategies
• promote healthy behaviors
• faster safe and healthful environments
• provide leadership and training

OSHA applies to ____

CDC applies to ____

employees

everyone

• Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
• HAZCOM
• Lab Safety
• Regulated Waste

Bloodborne Pathogens Standard

What is a bloodborne pathogen and what are some examples?

Pathogenic (cause disease) microorganisms that are present in human blood and can lead to illness

Examples: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Hepatitis B (HBV)

Hepatitis C (HCV)

• accidental injury with contaminated sharps- needlestick injury
• contact with open cuts and skin abrasions
• contact with mucous membranes-mouth, nose, and eyes

Treat all human blood and body fluids as if they were infected.

Contaminated surfaces may or may not show visible signs of contamination.

Lab is in an isolated area

• This requires all incoming work to be disinfected prior to entering the lab
• Must have excellent communication with dental offices

1. Disinfected sticker
2. Type of disinfectant
3. Length of time of exposure to disinfectant

• running water / hand washing facilities
• counter top covered with impervious paper if possible
• cleaned and disinfected regularly
• wear personal protective equipment while receiving and disinfecting
• do not use this area of the lab for anything other than receiving contaminated lab materials

• EPA-registered hospital disinfectant
• Product must have tuberculocidal claim
• must be an intermediate level disinfectant

• must be mixed exactly
• must be mixed daily
• must be emptied at the end of the day
• container must dry out over night
• never top-off the container
• FOLLOW MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS
• can corrode metals

• Rinse under running water
• spray with iodophore at sink: let it set 10 minutes
• rinse under running water, shake excess, loosely wrap in a wet paper towel, place in a clean bag to take to the lab

• Rinse/Wash with soap and water
• Disinfect (spray with appropriate cleaner)
• When copious amounts of calculus and tenacious bioburden is present: a) Place in a heavy duty zip bag with stone and plaster remover or tarter, light stain and cement remover
• Place in ultrasonic cleaning unit
• May need to disinfect again (spray)
• Rinse

Clinical and Lab Disinfection

• Explain how to handle casts
• Explain how to handle articulators, case pans, and other equipment

• Casts- Impression should be disinfected BEFORE adding the dental stone (similar to plaster of paris). If not, spray cast with iodophore
• Articulators, case pans, and other equipment- disinfect after use.  A low to intermediate level disinfectant is used for items that do not normally contact the patient

• Casts (are porous) are the most difficult prosthodontic item to disinfect
• Set the cast on its heals (behind the molar area) to facilitate drainage.  Spray with an idophore or immerse in chlorine dilution
• Rinse
• Then carry to lab OR Rinse and allow to dry if being wrapped for shipping

REGULATED WASTE

• Where do sharps go and who collects it?
• Where do impression material and disposable trays go?
• Natural teeth?
• Scraps of material containing mercury?

• sharps-in puncture resistant container and collected by a bio-hazardous waste disposal company
• impression material and disposable trays- general waste disposal
• natural teeth-collected and dispose of according to regulations
• mercury-collected and disposed of according to regulation

• "The right to know law"
• A list of hazardous chemicals is maintained in labs and clinics
• Potentially hazardous chemicals must be properly labeled
• A book of MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) information is maintained.  Contains specifics about each chemical.

Be careful: PREVENTION

Know what you are working with (acids, flammables, silica dust)

Linked to tuberculosis and lung cancer

no cure but it can be prevented

Do not eat, drink, smoke, or apply makeup where silica is present

Wear PPE

Leave PPE at the workplace (don't take the silica dust home)

Keep area wet (decrease the dust in the air)

short- irritant to eyes, skin and respiratory tract

long- skin sensitization, asthma, and nervous system effect

Pregnant dental health care members should avoid methyl methacrylate as much as possible

• Location labeled
• hot water is disconnected
• pull button for 2 streams of water
• run for 15 minutes
• check weekly and document

• Nitrile gloves
• safety goggles
• disposable gown or apron
• paper towels
• disposable broom and dust pan
• zip bags, gallon size
• garbage bags
• small bottle detergent
• copy of Chemical Spill Clean-up Plan
• 2-5 gallon bucket labeled "Spill Kit"

• First Aid Kit- American Red Cross
• Fire extinguisher
• Are gas cylinders secured
• Electrical cords not crossing aisles
• Electrical outlets grounded
• Break area - away from lab
• Fume hoods working properly
• Emergency phone numbers and after hours phone numbers posted outside lab
• No portable heaters
• Sharps container (secured)
• "Drain Disposable Prohibited" sign on all sinks