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Chemical Hazards						Print
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										*Examples of Exposures and Chemical Hazards* refer to any forms of chemicals including medications, solutions, gases, vapors, aerosols, and particulate matter that are potentially toxic or irritating to the body system.**Examples of Exposures and Chemical Hazards**Routes of Chemical Exposure
	*Inhalation:* Breathing gases, vapors, particulates, dust, or mist
*Ingestion:* Accidentally eating or drinking hazardous substances
*Percutaneous*: Permeation or absorbing a substance through the skin; piercing or penetration of skin with needle or other sharp device/instrument (e.g., scalpel or broken glass)
*Dermal:* Contact with corrosive or sensitizing materialsChemical Agent Hazard Examples and Their Routes of Exposure
	**Antimicrobial**: An agent that destroys microbes, inhibits their growth, or prevents or counteracts their pathogenic action such as antibiotics (e.g., amoxicillin, penicillin, and tetracycline)
Primary routes of exposure: Mucous membrane, dermal absorption, ingestion
**Anesthetic gases**: Gases for general anesthesia such as sevoflurane and isoflurane, halothane, nitrous oxide during surgical and dental procedures
Primary route of exposure: Inhalation
**Antineoplastic drugs**: Chemotherapy drugs (e.g., cyclophosphamide, alkylating agents)
Primary routes of exposure: Dermal absorption, inhalation
**Surface cleaning and disinfecting agents**: Antimicrobial agents designed to destroy microorganisms (e.g., bleach, quaternary ammonium compounds, low and intermediate level disinfectants, antiseptics, hand sanitizers, detergents)
Primary routes of exposure: Inhalation, dermal absorption
**Chemical sterilants**: High level disinfection of surgical instruments and medical supplies that cannot withstand the autoclave process (e.g., ethylene oxide (EtO), hydrogen peroxide gas plasma)
Primary route of exposure: Inhalation
**Immersion disinfecting solutions**: High level disinfectants (e.g., glutaraldehyde, orthophthaldehyde, peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide)
Primary routes of exposure: Inhalation, dermal absorption
**Latex (rubber) products**: Worn to protect against bacteria and viruses (e.g., surgical and exam gloves), and tubing, tourniquets, patient care devices, which may cause allergic reactions in exposed workers
Primary routes of exposure: Dermal contact, inhalation
**Surgical smoke from laser use**: Generated by thermal destruction of tissue when using lasers or electrosurgical devices during surgical procedures. Surgical smoke creates a variety of toxic vapors, gases, and particulate matter
Primary route of exposure: Inhalation
**Other:** (e.g., adhesives, solvents used in dentistry, labs, medical/surgical procedures)
Primary routes of exposure: Inhalation, dermal absorption, percutaneous, ingestionHazards and Unsafe Practice Examples That Can Result in Worker Injury or Illness
	**Engineering controls** **that are absent or inadequate:** Equipment shielding, container covers/lids, biological safety cabinets
**Labeling**: Inadequate, illegible, or absent on original and secondary containers
**Storage**: High shelving, incompatible chemicals stored together, flammable chemicals stored near an ignition source
**PPE**: Unavailable, not used, improper type/size/fit, inadequate/no training
**Local exhaust ventilation**: Not installed, not positioned properly (correct height), poorly maintained, or not usedPreviousNext
							
					
							Last Reviewed:  October 3, 2022						Source: 	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
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        Syndicate homeSafety Culture in Healthcare Settings
Training Informationplus icon
Introduction
Module 1: Safety Cultureplus icon
Why a Culture of Safety is Important
The Sociotechnical Model
Definition Examples of Safety Culture and Overlap with Safety Climate
Key Attributes and Joint Benefits of Safety Culture
Common Features of Positive Healthcare Worker Safety Culture
General Measurable Elements of a Safety Culture
Tools to Measure Safety Culture and Climate
A Snapshot of Safety Culture in U.S. Hospitals
References
Quiz 1Module 2: Work-Related Risks and Hazardsplus icon
Biological Hazardsplus icon
Chain of Infection Components
Risk Factors of Biological Agents and Unsafe Practices
Chemical Hazards
Enviromechanical Hazards
Physical Hazards
Psychosocial Hazards
Hazard Assessment/Determination
Case Study
References
Quiz 2Module 3: Prevention and Control of Work-Related Injury and Illnessplus icon
Hierarchy of Controls
Elimination: Physically Remove the Hazard
Substitution and Engineering Controls
Administrative Controls: Change the Way People Work
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Protect the Worker with PPE
Donning and Doffing PPE: Proper Wearing, Removal, and Disposal
References
Quiz 3Module 4: Leadership and Safe Work Environmentsplus icon
Commitment to Workplace Safety as High Priority and Through Role Modeling
Policies and Procedures and Safe Patient Handling
Hazard Analysis and Safe Staffing Workloads
State-of-the-Art Training and Handling Patients
Engage Healthcare Worker Champions and Observe Work
Transparency, Training, and Staff Safety Rounds
References
Quiz 4Module 5: Legal-Ethical Considerations to Promote Safe Working Conditionsplus icon
The Occupational Safety and Health Act and OSHA Standards
OSHA Healthcare Standards
OSHA Hazard Communication Standard and OSHA Guidelines
What Workers Can Do
Ethics and Healthcare Worker Exposure Considerations
Ethical Principles
References
Quiz 5Safety Culture in Healthcare Settings: Resources Follow NIOSH Facebook
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