OSHA question

jemb · Aug 13, 2003

Answer the following, and you'll have your answer....

Do you put gloves over your hands before you wash them? (hands, that is-not the gloves).

After you take off gloves, do you wash your hands again?

Where do you put the dirty gloves?

Where do you take your hands?

:)

JedsMom, ASN, RN · Aug 13, 2003

I teach bloodborne. Handwashing is number one "hands down";)

purplemania, BSN, RN · Aug 13, 2003

I teach it as well: HANDWASHING!! You would be surprised as to how many people do not practice this simple method of disease prevention.

Monica RN,BSN · Aug 13, 2003

Agreed! I also teach Blood borne pathogens... Handwashing.. definately!

Good Luck to you!

renerian, BSN, RN · Aug 13, 2003

Handwashing

renerian

premern · Aug 13, 2003

Thanks everyone handwashing was my choice, but gloving also seemed appropriate!! :)

P_RN, ADN, RN · Aug 13, 2003

http://www.osha-slc.gov/needlesticks/needlesticks-regtxtrev.html

snipped....d)(2) engineering and work practice controls.
(d)(2)(i) engineering and work practice controls shall be used to eliminate or minimize employee exposure. where occupational exposure remains after institution of these controls, personal protective equipment shall also be used.
(d)(2)(ii) engineering controls shall be examined and maintained or replaced on a regular schedule to ensure their effectiveness.
(d)(2)(iii) employers shall provide handwashing facilities which are readily accessible to employees.
(d)(2)(iv) when provision of handwashing facilities is not feasible, the employer shall provide either an appropriate antiseptic hand cleanser in conjunction with clean cloth/paper towels or antiseptic towelettes. when antiseptic hand cleansers or towelettes are used, hands shall be washed with soap and running water as soon as feasible.
(d)(2)(v) employers shall ensure that employees wash their hands immediately or as soon as feasible after removal of gloves or other personal protective equipment.
(d)(2)(vi) employers shall ensure that employees wash hands and any other skin with soap and water, or flush mucous membranes with water immediately or as soon as feasible following contact of such body areas with blood or other potentially infectious materials.....

TiddlDwink · Aug 13, 2003

OH... easy... handwashing! Gloves don't prevent the spread of infection... they put a barrier between your hands and harmful pathogens... If you get pathogens on the gloves and then open the door, or touch a table... or take them off improperly... you have still spread pathogens...

HANDWASHING is the NUMBER ONE method of disease control!!

lehua · Aug 13, 2003

With regards to OSHA first and foremost are engineering controls which includes items such as guards, and physical barriers which limit exposure. They are based upon on a job safety analysis performed by a certified safety professional, or certified industrial hygienist. Thereafter, personal protective equipment is to be provided upon training of such equipment and documentation of training. Anyhoo that's how its performed in my experience in health & safety here in Cali. I'm looking forward to the experiences in a hospital environment upon obtaining my rn. so...mabey there are other regs wich supercede, (specifically SB198, the Injury and Illness Prevention Plan) these.