It’s Your Call May 2019

sandles floating in the pool warmer weather

OSHA: Warmer weather is here, and administrative employees often inquire about the rules for wearing open-toed shoes. What is OSHA’s view? In general, there is no OSHA policy about wearing open-toed shoes in an office environment. However, OSHA Rule 1910.136(a) states: The employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses protective footwear when working in […]

It’s Your Call April 2019

OSHA-compliant-client-badge-300x142

OSHA: What documentation is required for OSHA training, and how long should the records be kept? Documentation should be kept for 3 years. It should contain a record of training dates, the contents or a summary of the training sessions, the names and job titles of all persons attending the training, and the names and […]

It’s Your Call March 2019

Heplisav-B syringe

OSHA: What is the name of the Hepatitis B 2-dose vaccine? What is the time frame for the doses to be administered? The 2-dose vaccine for Hepatitis B is called Heplisav-B (HepB-CpG). The doses should be administered 4 weeks apart followed by a titer 1-2 months after the second dose. Pregnant women should continue to […]

It’s Your Call February 2019

march 1 calendar

It’s your call OSHA: We recently hired a new clinical worker who received a 2-dose series for Hepatitis B and titer.  Is there really a 2-dose series? Yes. Early in 2018, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended Heplisav-B (HepB-CpG) for vaccination against Hepatitis B for those who are ≥ 18 years. The doses […]

It’s Your Call January 2019

OSHA: Does our office have to keep the 300 Workplace Injury and Illness Log? OSHA uses the data from these logs to assess and remove safety and health hazards. Establishments that have 250 or more employees and high risk industries with 20-249 employees must electronically submit the form. The list of high risk industries can […]

It’s Your Call December 2018

christmas lights

OSHA: We have a broken fluorescent light bulb. I’ve heard this is an issue, but why? Fluorescent light bulbs may emit a small amount of mercury vapor when the bulb is broken. To minimize risks, the EPA describes several cleanup and disposal steps at https://www.epa.gov/cfl/cleaning-broken-cfl#instructions. LED lightbulbs are an alternative to fluorescent lightbulbs. They do […]

It’s Your Call November 2018

man signing pictures HIPAA

OSHA: Our office hired a clinical worker who does not have proof of Hepatitis B 3-shot series. Can we just provide a pre-employment titer? No. If an employee does not have proof, offer a 3-dose series of hepatitis B vaccine, test for anti-HBs in 1–2 months, and document the result in the employee’s health record. […]

It’s Your Call October 2018

gloves

OSHA: When using a disinfectant wipe, what type of gloves should you use? The gloves types will vary based upon the disinfectant type, Safety Data Sheet (SDS) recommendations, and instructions for use. The SDS for Caviwipes, for example, recommends impervious gloves such as butyl rubber or nitrile for operations which may result in prolonged or […]

It’s Your Call September 2018

caution cleaning signs

OSHA: What is the importance of a housekeeping schedule? Exposure to bloodborne pathogens are ever present in clinical settings, and employees must be protected from contaminated surfaces such as cabinets, patient beds, floors, equipment, walls, light handles, etc. OSHA regulation 1910.1030(d)(4)(ii) states: All equipment and environmental and working surfaces shall be cleaned and decontaminated after […]

It’s Your Call August 2018

hipaa breach cause

OSHA: The transport container is contaminated with blood and other potentially infectious material (OPIM) from our instruments. How should we clean these reusable, transport containers? OSHA regulation 1910.1030(d)(4)(ii)(C) states: All bins, pails, cans, and similar receptacles intended for reuse which have a reasonable likelihood for becoming contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials shall […]