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Safety & Training
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Sterilization is hazardous. We work with risk every day and have learned
that when we know the hazards and follow good practices, we can avoid
harm.
The purpose of this section is to help you recognize the hazards of Oxyfume
sterilants and to learn practices that have helped those who have used these
sterilants over the last 20 years. Select the topic of interest from the links
below:
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Oxyfume On-line Safety Training
Learn more about how to use Oxyfume sterilants safely. Each training module
takes about 30 minutes to complete.
Module 1: Safely Using Oxyfume Sterilants
Module 2: How the OSHA Ethylene Oxide Rule Helps Protect You
Module 3: How to Handle Oxyfume Gas Cylinders Safely
You receive 1/2 CEU [Continuing Education Unit] for each module successfully
completed. From CBSPD [The Certification Board for Sterile Processing and
Distribution].
This program helps fulfill your health care center's obligation to train you
under OSHA requirements for ethylene oxide.
To Register for the Online
Program:
Anyone in the facility may log-in and use the program once the organization is
registered.
If your facility is not registered, please ask your manager to do so at this
site.
Central Service Manager: To help
your staff take the on-line training program -- and to use special reports to
help you, at your option, administer the program, please
Register
your staff to take the Honeywell On-line Safety Training Program
To take the Online Program:
If you or your facility uses Oxyfume and the manager responsible for Oxyfume
sterilizer operation has registered using the procedure below, just log on and
the interactive program, guides you through the material.
Click here: Honeywell
On-Line Safety Training Program.
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Oxyfume On-site Safety Training
Honeywell field sterilant specialists have been giving onsite training for
over 15 years to workers at hospitals and medical device firms. These programs
can be customized to meet the specific needs of the work force and provide a
forum for discussion and open-ended questions. Topics covered include: why
sterilize; why use ethylene oxide; how an ethylene oxide sterilizer
works;ethylene oxide hazards; the OSHA ethylene oxide rule; and, how to handle
Oxyfume cylinders. Depending on the program, you may receive from 1/2 to
11/2Continuing Education Units [CEUs].
If you are a Manager of a facility using Oxyfume sterilant and wish to obtain
information about onsite training, please contact us.
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Safe Cylinder Handling
Oxyfume is supplied as a liquefied gas in cylinders designed with special
safety for the people who must handle these containers. The cylinders are
equipped with a diaphragm valve, in order to avoid valve bonnet leaks.
Also,since all chemicals can burst their containers if the pressure rises [for
example, as would happen in a fire], the Oxyfume cylinder is equipped with a
special POP pressure relief device. When the pressure rises in an Oxyfume
cylinder, the pressure relief device vents gas to the building exhaust
system;but, when the pressure decreases, the device closes. This reduces the
release of the cylinder contents.
Read Cylinder Description to learn more: Cylinder
Description
You can learn tips for safe cylinder handling from the On-line Safety Training program.
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The Product Label
| You should read the label for any product you plan to use. The
Oxyfumelabels contain warnings and instructions for use. The US Environmental
Protection Agency [EPA] under the Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide
Act [FIFRA] regulates all pesticides used in the United States. [Definition:
Apesticide is any device or substance that prevents, destroys, repels or
mitigates any pest. Thus, Oxyfume sterilant, which destroys microbes, is a
pesticide.] Under FIFRA, in order to better protect the user, the EPA reviews
toxicology, health and environmental data for each pesticide, and decides what
information and guidance should be on the product label. |
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| Use Oxyfume only for the applications specified on its label: |
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| The Material Safety Data
Sheet |
| Material Safety Data Sheets [MSDS] provide you more information about
product properties, hazards, applicable regulations and recommended
precautions. |
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| Material Safety Data Sheet - Oxyfume 2000
Sterilant |
| Material Safety Data Sheet - Oxyfume 2002
Sterilant |
| Material Safety Data Sheet - Steriflo |
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Federal Regulatory Standards & Reports
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration [OSHA] Ethylene Oxide
Rule[29 CFR 1910.1047] helps us manage ethylene oxide use safely by specifying
in one rule, many of the practices required for handling hazardous chemicals.
Click here.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health [NIOSH] publishes a
handbook summarizing toxic properties of hazardous chemicals, such as those
used in sterilization. For a capsule summary of ethylene oxide hazards, as well
as those of other sterilizing agents, see the NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical
Hazards.
In April, 2004, NIOSH notified workers of two ethylene oxide studies. The
studies update findings and conclusions [first posted in 1993] about health
effects for 18,235 workers potentially exposed to ethylene oxide in plants that
used sterilizers. NIOSH
Ethylene Oxide Studies, April, 2004 Updates.
On December 27, 2007, the US Environmental Protection Agency issued a Final
Rule controlling air emissions from hospital sterilizers that use ethylene
oxide.
40 CFR 63 subpart WWWWW – NESHAP [National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air
Pollutants] for hospital ethylene oxide sterilization. Final Rule
Honeywell Information Bulletin with Tables to help hospitals complete the form
for Initial Notice of Compliance Status for 40 CFR 63 subpart WWWWW – NESHAP
for hospital ethylene oxide sterilization
EPA Brochure – Summary of Regulations Controlling Air Emissions from the
Hospital Sterilizers Using Ethylene Oxide
Example Initial Notice of Compliance Status for Hospital Ethylene Oxide
Sterilization – Form, with instructions on how and where to file
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