1. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AWARENESS FOR HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES

2. Learning Objectives • Define Hazardous Materials • Define Hazardous Material Awareness • Discuss and identify potential sources of hazardous materials commonly found in hospitals or healthcare facilities

3. Learning Objectives • Discuss contamination and exposure routes • How to respond to hazardous material incidents in a facility

4. Hazardous Materials Defined • A hazardous material is any item or agent (biological, chemical, radiological, and/physical), which has the potential to cause harm to humans, animals, or the environment, either by itself or through interaction with other factors.

5. Simple Definition • Any material, in any form, which will cause injury or harm to people and the environment when released from a container.

6. Why is Hazmat Identification Critical for Hospital Staff? • Contamination may be life threatening to patients, staff, and visitors • Contamination may close part or all of your facility • Hazmat cleanup and recovery is very expensive

7. Forms of Hazardous Materials • Solids • Medical waste • Sharps containers • Fertilizers and pesticides

8. Forms of Hazardous Materials • Liquids • Cleaning products • Petroleum based fuels • Agricultural products-fertilizers and pesticides

9. Forms of Hazardous Materials • Gases • Medical gases • Agricultural products-anhydrous ammonia • Industrial-Cyanide, helium, nitrogen, propane, and acetylene

10. Levels of Hazard Materials Response • Hazardous Materials Awareness • Hazardous Materials Operations • Hazardous Materials Technician • Hazardous Materials Specialist

11. Hazardous Materials Awareness • Roles • Recognition/Identification • Isolation • Protection • Notification

12. What Not to Do! • Do not come into contact with the hazardous material • Do not attempt to stop the spill/release • Do not attempt to clean up spill/release