Freedom of Choice - Regulatory Compliance
U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) says...
1. Limiting Factors for Implementing the use of Engineering control, i.e., safety scalpels, under the Bloodborne Pathogens standard.
Ÿ ...not one medical device is appropriate for use in all circumstances and that it is important to safeguard both patients and employees during medical and surgical procedures. If the use of a particular engineering control, in this case a safety scalpel, compromises patient safety, its use would not be considered feasible. The employer, therefore, must determine what engineering and work practice controls effectively minimize hazards without unduly interfering with medical procedures.
2. Use of passing trays and single-handed scalpel blade remover in a surgical setting.
Ÿ Surgical practitioners must base their evaluation and selection of scalpels and other medical sharps on the impact a device will have on achieving the necessary balance between employee safety and the delivery of optimal healthcare to patients.
Ÿ In general, the bending, recapping or removal of a contaminated needle or other contaminated sharp is prohibited. ..In situations where an employer has demonstrated that the use of a scalpel with a reusable handle is required by a specific medical or dental procedure or that no alternative is feasible, the blade removal must be accomplished through the use of a mechanical device or a one-handed technique [29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)(vii)(B)]. The use of a single-handed scalpel blade remover meets these criteria.
Ÿ The professional literature reflects that a no-hands-pass procedure, such as the use of a passing tray, is a frequently used work practice control for the prevention of sharps injuries in operating rooms across the United States.
White Paper: Workplace Health and Safety & The Australian/New Zealand Standard for the Removal of Scalpel Blades From Scalpel Handles
Written by Naiomi Pham, Qlicksmart Pty Ltd. July 2005.
Abstract: Workplace safety standards are set out with the aim to establish a safe and healthy work environment that minimizes risk and potential threats benefiting everyone involved. In doing so, there are certain responsibilities that each individual as part of the organisation needs to be aware of, and maintain. The purpose of this paper is to bring to light these obligations; and in particular the standards of scalpel blade removal in order to minimize all possible occurrences of accidents and contamination transfer.
Click here to read full paper (PDF File)
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