M10.1 Occupational Health and Safety

Image result for sterile syringesI currently volunteer at the San Francisco AIDS Foundation for the Syringe Access Services program. We do needle exchange sites at various sites throughout the city. Other than handing out sterile syringes and supplies, part of the job is to go on sweeps and pick up used syringes that users may leave on the floor. For this specific task, we use tongs to pick up the stray syringes and deposit them into a plastic container, a.k.a. a bio bucket. According to the hierarchy of controls, this is being addressed with administrative controls and personal protective equipment, the lowest levels in the hierarchy. This is because there is no way to remove the hazard, since the whole job is to remove the hazard from the public. Therefore the best way to deal with this is to train people on how to properly handle dirty needles, and giving them the necessary equipment to avoid exposure.

Comments

  1. Sandy TanNovember 1, 2018 at 10:05 AM

    Hi Hugo,
    Great example of hierarchy of controls. You are right that this job only stays at the lowest level where protective equipment is the best option. I agree with you that the best control is to have well trained volunteers and that they know all the procedures to protect themselves.

    ReplyDelete
  2. USF MPH ClassNovember 16, 2018 at 6:16 PM

    Hi,
    That is great that you volunteer! What a cool program and thank you for picking up those needels. I walk the tenderloin district quite often and step over many needles and many heroin frozen homeless people which is terribly sad. Dan

    ReplyDelete

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