Environment Of Care

SAFETY/ SECURITY:

• All of the staff’s personal items are locked up/protected from the public

• All of patient’s personal items are locked up/protected from the public

• All staff, volunteers, students, contracted staff and vendors are wearing name tags at all time    

Workplace violence – Report to Security Ext:1527    

Name of Safety Officer – Jenifer Gonzalez    

To report work related injuries –Tiffany Ramos Ext: 4727 or Nursing Supervisor Ext: 4716

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS:

• Hazardous materials labeled correctly (original/typed labels with content defined).

• Hazardous materials stored correctly (out of the reach of children)

• Know what hazardous materials are used in your department.

•For spills of one gallon or less, the spill must be isolated/contained by the originator.    Call Environmental Services (Dial “O” for operator ) for assistance.

• All biohazardous waste should be disposed in “RED” bags.

• Eyewash/shower stations are flushed weekly & action documented.

What does the “right to know” mean?

• Employees have the right to know what hazardous chemicals are being used in their workplace.

• SDS’s contain critical information for safe handling and use of chemicals (e.g., product contents, recommended protective gear, first aid, and safe clean up information).

• SDS sheets are available & accessible to staff; located in the ER, Laboratory and departments that uses Hazmat.

Staff needs to know

• Location of the SDS sheets before an accident occurs

• Where eyewash stations are located and how

LIFE SAFETY (Fire Safety):

• Keep storage away from sprinklers (18” rule from the ceiling) met EVERYWHERE (Check those closets).

• O2 tanks are secured in proper holders.

• Keep O2 tanks in appropriate / separate tank holders (fully/empty).

• No doorstops are visible on the unit, anywhere at all at any time.

• No holes in the walls or ceilings (call Maintenance TODAY).

• No (flammable) papers on walls, doors.

• The fire extinguishers are all current (must be dated monthly).

• All exit signs are illuminated (check them).

• No paper boxes, etc. stored on floor (including the closet) as they are fuel.

• All doors to the outside close completely without forcing it.

to use an eyewash  

In case of fire, you should know

•  Location of nearest fire pull alarm box

•  Where is the nearest fire extinguisher

•  Who decides whether to evacuate the building or stay? Administrator on Call and Fire Department

•  Who can shut off the medical gases in the case of emergency? Nursing or Respiratory

•  How to evacuate?

Horizontal – evacuation from one area to another on the same floor, vertical

Vertical – evacuation down the steps to another floor or out of the building ONLY with the assistance of the Fire Department.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY:

• Biomedical equipment is tagged with current tag (last review date noted and next review date noted)

• All other electrical equipment has been checked/tagged by the engineering/biomedical department before use

• All electrical equipment is grounded and/or double insulated or cannot be within 6 feet of the patient

• No 2-prong appliances to be used within the facility without inspection by Biomedical department

• No permanent extension cords anywhere

• No wire “nest” under desks that feet could be tangled in

• No CPUs permanently stored on the floor (need to protect the equipment from dust/dirt be able to clean under and around it)

• Patients should not bring in electrical devices from home unless battery operated

• Broken equipment should be tagged and taken out of service.