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Checklist of Highlighted Hazards in Central Supply


Instructions: Complete this checklist to help you assess workplace hazards. 

  • A "N/A" (Not Applicable) response indicates that this question does not apply to your workplace. 
  • A "Consider" answer may indicate that a problem may exist. Refer to the appropriate section of the eTool for assistance and ideas about how to analyze and control the problem. (All "Consider" answers will be added to the printable "report" for future consideration.)

1 - Ethylene Oxide Gas is used in hospitals as a cold sterilant.
a. Is exposure to ethylene oxide kept within the OSHA permissible exposure limits (PEL)? [29 CFR 1910.1047(c) - Ethylene Oxide]
b. Do ethylene oxide sterilizers expel ethylene oxide through a non-recycled or dedicated ventilation system? [29 CFR 1910.1047 Appendix A - Ethylene Oxide]

2 - Mercury Exposure can result from contact with accidental spills that can occur during repair, cleaning, or processing of equipment that contains mercury.
a. Is exposure to mercury vapor kept within the OSHA permissible exposure limits (PEL)? [29 CFR 1910.1000 - Table Z-2 - Toxic and Hazardous Substances]
b. Is appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used for clean-up of mercury spills? [29 CFR 1910.134 - Respiratory Protection, and 29 CFR 1910.132 - Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)]
c. Are employees prohibited from consuming food or beverages in areas exposed to mercury? [29 CFR 1910.141(g)(2) - General Environmental Controls]

3 - Glutaraldehyde Exposure. Glutaraldehyde is used as a cold sterilant. OSHA does not currently have a required Permissible Exposure Level (PEL) for glutaraldehyde.
a. Is appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) being used for glutaraldehyde exposures? (e.g., goggles, face shields, gloves that are impervious to glutaraldehyde.) [29 CFR 1910.132 - Personal Protective Equipment]
b. Are employees who may be exposed to glutaraldehyde vapors above the recommended ceiling threshold limit value of 0.05 ppm, using appropriate respirators during routine or emergency work? [29 CFR 1910.132 - Respiratory Protection] The American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) have a recommended ceiling threshold limit value of 0.05 ppm.
c. Are eye wash fountains provided for immediate emergency use, if there is the possibility that an employee's eyes may be splashed with a corrosive chemical? [29 CFR 1910.132 - Medical Services and First Aid]
d. Are glutaraldehyde baths kept under a fume hood where possible?
[NIOSH Pub. No. 2001-115 Glutaraldehyde]
e. Are containers of glutaraldehyde stored in closed containers in well ventilated areas? [NIOSH Pub. No. 2001-115 Glutaraldehyde]

4 - Burns and Cuts from exposure to equipment such as autoclaves and while sorting hot sterilized instruments.
a. Are employers providing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to help prevent burns and cuts? [29 CFR 1910.132 - Personal Protective Equipment]
b. Is appropriate hand protection provided for hands that are exposed to hazards such as cuts, lacerations, and thermal burns? [29 CFR 1910.138(a) - Hand Protection]

5 - Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure from sorting and cleaning sharp contaminated instruments.Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure from sorting and cleaning sharp contaminated instruments.
a. Is appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) provided if blood or other potentially infectious material (OPIM) exposure is anticipated? [29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(3)(i) - Bloodborne Pathogens]
b. Are gloves worn when hand contact with blood, mucous membranes, non-intact skin, or OPIM is anticipated or when handling contaminated items or surfaces? [29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(3)(ix) - Bloodborne Pathogens]
c. Are utility gloves decontaminated for re-use only if the integrity of the glove is not compromised? Are gloves discarded if they are cracked, peeling, torn, or exhibit other signs of deterioration or when their ability to function as a barrier is compromised? [29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(3)(ix)(C) - Bloodborne Pathogens]
d. Are engineering controls such as safer needle devices used to help remove or minimize exposures to bloodborne pathogens? (e.g., self-sheathing needles, needleless connectors, and retractable needles) [29 CFR 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv)(B) and 29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)(i) - Bloodborne Pathogens and CPL 2-2-69 - Enforcement Procedures for the Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens]
e. Are sharps properly disposed of immediately or as soon as feasible into appropriate containers that are closable, puncture resistant, and leak-proof? [29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(A)(1) - Bloodborne Pathogens].

6 - Hazardous Chemicals
a. Is there a written program which meets the requirements of the Hazard Communication Standard to provide for worker training, warning label, and access to material safety data sheets? [29 CFR 1910.1200 - Hazard Communication]
b. Are eye wash fountains provided for immediate emergency use, if there is a possibility that an employee's eyes may be splashed with a corrosive chemical?
[29 CFR 1910.151(c) - Medical Services and First Aid]
c. Is appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) provided (e.g., gloves, goggles, splash aprons) when handling hazardous dishwashing detergents and chemicals? [29 CFR 1910.132 - Personal Protective Equipment]

7 - Slips/Trips/Falls

a. Are floors kept clean and dry? [29 CFR 1910.22(a)(2) - Walking and Working Surfaces and 29 CFR 1910.141(a)(3)(ii) - General Environmental Controls]
b. Are aisles and passageway clear and in good repair with no obstruction across or in aisles that could create a hazard? [29 CFR 1910.22(a) - Walking and Working Surfaces]

8 - Latex Allergy

a. Are appropriate gloves provided when exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) exists? [29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(3)(iii) - Bloodborne Pathogens Standard]
b. Are employers providing alternative gloves to employees who have exposure to blood or OPIM, and may be allergic to the gloves normally provided? [29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(3)(iii) - Bloodborne Pathogens Standard]