Many spills that occur at hospitals are small and can be safely managed on site. However these small/incidental spills can become emergencies if not handled appropriately. This training program addresses a safe and effective response effort by employees at the point of origin and from outside the immediate release area to a small uncontrolled release of a hazardous substance. The training covers how to prevent the spill and its impacts from getting worse and to mitigate and abate the incident, if it can be done safely. A Certification of Completion for each student is provided at the end of the course.
Audience
Designated personnel who will be expected to enter an area with a hazardous materials spill that does not pose an emergency. These people may come from EVS, maintenance, facilities, and departments that use and handle hazardous materials in the course of their expected job functions.
Outcomes for Organization
The organization will have a trained group that is capable, within the constraints of the training, to clean small incidental spills and return the spill area to its usual activities sooner and with less disruption to patient care than having to call for outside assistance.
Outcomes for Students
Students will be better prepared to handle small incidental spills of hazardous materials safely and effectively with competence and confidence.
Regulatory and Compliance Requirements
This course meets OSHA’s requirements of Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard under the definition of incidental spills.
Learning Objectives
- Recognition of an incident involving a hazardous substance that can be cleaned while not using any special PPE
- Using safe practices to enter a contaminated area and clean up a hazardous release
- Knowing when to cease clean-up operations if conditions change and endanger personnel
- Use of specific team concepts to maximize safety and effectiveness
Topics Covered
- Laws and regulations pertaining to haz mat release cleanup including hospital’s.
- The HARM form
- HICS overview
- Organizing for a spill cleanup
- PPE
- Clean-up equipment
- Preparing to enter area
- Entering the area
- Cleaning the area
- Decontaminating team members
- Decontaminating the area
- Handling the waste
- Returning area to usual use
- Returning the team to ready status
Continuing Education Credits
This training course is designed to be eligible for continuing education credits. We work with the sponsoring organizations to facilitate the granting of continuing education units with appropriate state accrediting bodies.
Support Materials
Each student receives a binder containing printed version of training slides and other support materials.
