Repertoire Magazine – June 2021
Why reducing chemical exposure is right and required
Doctors’ offices often struggle to maintain compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, including the Hazard Communication Standard. But following these regulations is essential to healthcare worker safety because they address substantial risks present in the physician office.
OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard outlines how healthcare organizations must inform employees about any hazardous chemicals that they may be exposed to at work. It is designed to protect against chemical-source injuries and illnesses by ensuring that employers and workers are provided with sufficient information to anticipate, recognize, evaluate and control chemical hazards and take appropriate protective measures.
“All it takes is one anonymous call from an employee for OSHA to be on your doorstep,” said Dr. Karson Carpenter, President of Compliance Training Partners. Dr. Carpenter has extensive experience designing educational programs to bring medical facilities into compliance with government regulations.
“There is a tremendous liability for physician offices,” he added. “Employees understand their rights better than ever before and many physician offices don’t realize their risks.”
Dr. Carpenter said these risks can easily be mitigated without using scare tactics. “We sell through better education,” he explained. “COVID-19 created a better awareness of risks in physician offices and those that have been reactive in the past have become more invested during the pandemic.”
OSHA requires organizations to provide hazard communication training when a worker is initially assigned to a position that has the potential for hazardous chemical exposure. One example of a hazardous chemical is the topical anesthetic spray ethyl chloride, which is HAZMAT, toxic and extremely flammable.
Eliminate the hazard
Fortunately, a safer alternative exists to ethyl chloride. CryoDose TA is a clinical and therapeutic equivalent to ethyl chloride, but is non-flammable, non-toxic and HAZMAT free. Unlike ethyl chloride, CryoDose TA’s safety profile allows it to be used on open wounds and intact oral mucous membranes, and it can be stored and disposed of as a normal aerosol. It is a safer and more economical alternative to ethyl chloride for today’s healthcare practice.
“Patients and staff should know about new and safer products,” Dr. Carpenter said. “Owners and managers of physician offices like to tout products they use that are considered safer and it also creates loyalty from employees if they know their employer is protecting them.”
By educating physician offices on least-toxic practices and introducing safer product alternatives wherever possible, distributor representatives can help healthcare facilities become models of health for their employees and patients.