['Toxic and Hazardous Substances - OSHA', 'Sanitation']
['Laboratory Safety', 'Restrooms', 'Sanitation', 'Toxic and Hazardous Substances - OSHA']
01/02/2024
Copyright 2024 J. J. Keller & Associate, Inc. For re-use options please contact copyright@jjkeller.com or call 800-558-5011.
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So many surfaces in the work environment – such as desks, counters, and equipment – can lead to complacency when it comes to contamination of those surfaces. Surface contamination is a prominent concern especially within healthcare and education where many people are continuously contacting multiple work surfaces. Workers can get busy, may be fatigued, or assume someone else has cleaned work surfaces. Losing sight of potential surface contamination makes workers more vulnerable to illness or injury.
Hazardous chemicals can be absorbed by the body through the skin and into the bloodstream. This can cause diseases and disorders to tissues and organs. Dermal (skin) absorption occurs when surfaces are contaminated with chemicals, toxins, pesticides, or organic solvents, and employees contact those surfaces. Lead is especially hazardous to employees resulting in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) issuance of a patent in October 2022 for a hand wipe that can quickly and easily detect the presence of lead on skin, work surfaces, or vehicle steering wheels and other surfaces of vehicles.
Surface contamination can be combatted with engineering controls, work procedures, chemical substitution, and the use pf personal protective equipment (PPE).
Scope
Surface contamination may cause severe injury and permanent damage. While OSHA has not yet developed surface contamination criteria or quantification for skin absorption, there are various OSHA standards with housekeeping provisions addressing this hazard. Exposures to various chemical components are also addressed in specific OSHA standards for general industry and construction.
Employers are required by OSHA to perform hazard assessments, select PPE, and require employees to use appropriate hand protection. Protection is required any time employees’ hands are exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasions; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature extremes.
Regulatory citations
- 29 CFR 1910.120 — Hazardous waste operations and emergency response
- 29 CFR 1910.138 — Hand protection
- 29 CFR 1910.1001 — Asbestos
- 29 CFR 1910.1018 — Inorganic arsenic
- 29 CFR 1910.1025 — Lead
- 29 CFR 1910.1026 — Chromium (VI)
- 29 CFR 1910.1027 — Cadmium
- 29 CFR 1910.1030 — Bloodborne pathogens
- 29 CFR 1910.1044 — 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane
- 29 CFR 1910.1045 — Acrylonitrile
- 29 CFR 1910.1050 — Methylenedianiline
- 29 CFR 1926.55 — Gases, vapors, fumes, dusts, and mists (construction)
- 29 CFR 1926.60 — Methylenedianiline (construction)
- 29 CFR 1926.62 — Lead (construction)
- 29 CFR 1926.1101 — Asbestos (construction)
- 29 CFR 1926.1127 — Cadmium (construction)
Key definitions
- Contamination: The process or act of making a substance or surface no longer pure by adding a material or chemical that is hazardous or carries disease or illness.
- Dermal exposure: Exposing the body to hazards whereby hazardous or toxic substances can enter the body through the skin and into bloodstream, tissues, and organs.
- Hazardous material: A substance or chemical that poses a health hazard, a physical hazard, or harm to people or the environment.
- Surface: A flat, usually horizontal, surface such as a table, counter, cart, or desk. Work surfaces may also include equipment, ladders, platforms, ramps, walkways, or any other structure that permits employees to walk and work.
- Toxic material: A substance or chemical in concentration or amount that exceeds applicable limit established by a standard, or in the absence of an applicable standard, is of such toxicity it is a recognized hazard that is causing or is likely to cause death or serious physical harm.
Summary of requirements
- Conduct hazard assessments to identify work surfaces, hazardous or toxic materials, and other hazards requiring PPE.
- Establish and communicate procedures and policies required for the prevention of surface contamination.
- Train employees on hazard identification, required protective measures, and proper housekeeping procedures for your workplace.
- Perform regular inspections to ensure housekeeping procedures are being followed.
- Include employees in safety planning to ensure they are aware of surfaces prone to contamination and how to protect themselves and others.
- Investigate any incidents or near misses involving exposure to hazardous or toxic substances that may indicate remediations are needed to prevent surface contamination.
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['Toxic and Hazardous Substances - OSHA', 'Sanitation']
['Laboratory Safety', 'Restrooms', 'Sanitation', 'Toxic and Hazardous Substances - OSHA']
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Copyright 2024 J. J. Keller & Associate, Inc. For re-use options please contact copyright@jjkeller.com or call 800-558-5011.