Health and Safety for Caregivers: Chemical Hazards

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1. Slide 1

   HEALTH AND SAFETY FOR C AREGIVERS:

   • KITCHEN AND BATHROOM CHEMICAL
   • H AZARDS
   • I NTRODUCTION TO OSHA
   • This material was produced under grant number SH-31223-SH7 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does its mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U. S. Government.
2. Slide 2

   GET TO KNOW ONE ANOTHER!

   • What’s your name?
   • What do you do?
   • What’s your favorite movie?
3. Slide 3

   L EARNING O BJECTIVES

   • By the end of this training module, participants will be able to:
   • Identify the potential health risks of the chemicals present in kitchen and bathroom household cleaning products
   • Communicate safety strategies to reduce the risk of adverse chemical
4. Slide 4

   MODULE 1:

   • KITCHEN AND BATHROOM CHEMICAL H AZARDS
5. Slide 5

   C HEMICALS CAN BE DANGEROUS

   • Every cleaning product – even “green” ones - contains chemicals.
   • Chemicals are important: they allow the product to kill germs and control infection.
   • However, many chemicals in common products are potentially harmful to you and your Consumer.
   • Some chemicals: known or suspected to cause cancer, birth defects, asthma, other serious health effects.
6. Slide 6

   C HEMICALS CAN BE DANGEROUS

   • Cleaning product manufacturers don’t need to disclose specific chemicals in products (only CA and NY have laws requiring disclosure).
   • We have to rely on the caution messages on product labels with regard to the presence of allergens, environmental toxicants, and chemicals linked to harmful health effects.
7. Slide 7
   • C HEMICAL E XPOSURE
8. Slide 8

   N EVER MIX CHEMICALS

   • One of the most important rules of using kitchen and bathroom cleaning products: NEVER MIX!
   • Do not mix bleach and ammonia. Ammonia can be found in some glass and window cleaners, urine (cat litter boxes, diaper pails); some interior and exterior paints.
9. Slide 9

   N EVER MIX CHEMICALS

   • Do not mix bleach with acids (vinegar, some glass and window cleaners, dishwasher detergents, and many other cleaners contain acids).
   • Do not use two drain cleaners together, or one right after another.
   • Do not mix:
   • Baking soda and vinegar
   • Hydrogen peroxide and vinegar
   • Bleach and rubbing alcohol
   • (“Common Cleaning Products Can Be Dangerous When Mixed,” n.d.; Freedman, 2016)
10. Slide 10

    SYMPTOMS AND FIRST AID

    • Eye Exposures
    • You may get red, itching, burning, or watery eyes from chemical splashes and fumes exposure. FIRST AID:
    • Get medical attention as soon as possible following an injury, especially if you have eye pain, blurred vision or loss of any vision.
11. Slide 11

    SYMPTOMS AND FIRST AID

    • Eye Exposures
    • The following steps can and should be taken until medical assistance is obtained:
    • Immediately flush eye with water for at least 15 minutes.
    • Place the eye under a faucet or shower, use a garden hose, or pour water into the eye from a clean container (remove contact lenses first if you wear them).
    • Do not try to neutralize the chemical with other substances.
    • Do not apply bandage.
12. Slide 12

    SYMPTOMS AND FIRST AID

    • Skin Exposures
    • After the chemical touches your skin, you may get a rash, a burn, or general irritation.
    • FIRST AID:
    • Immediately wash skin.
    • Then, get medical attention as soon as possible.
13. Slide 13

    SYMPTOMS AND FIRST AID

    • Inhalation (breathing in) and Ingestion (swallowing)
    • If you breathe the chemical in or swallow it in any amount, you may have breathing trouble such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or chest pain. You may also experience headache, dizziness, and nausea.
    • FIRST AID:
    • Call Poison Control Center: 1–800–222–1222
    • Seek immediate medical attention.
14. Slide 14

    WORKING SAFELY WITH KITCHEN AND

    • BATHROOM CHEMICALS
15. Slide 15

    CHEMICAL SAFETY STRATEGIES

    • Anytime you work with chemicals, there is a risk of exposure. However, you can keep yourself – and the consumer – much safer by following these strategies.
    • Working Safely with Household Cleaners
    • General Tips
    • Read the label.
    • Keep products out of reach of children and pets.
    • Keep products in their original labeled containers.
    • Never place chemicals into unmarked containers or containers labeled for a different substance.
16. Slide 16

    CHEMICAL SAFETY STRATEGIES

    • Working Safely with Household Cleaners
    • General Tips
    • Store products in locations as indicated on the label (i.e., away from heat).
    • Keep containers closed when not in use.
    • NEVER mix different cleaning products.
    • Keep the Poison Control Center number posted in the home: 1–800–222–1222
17. Slide 17

    CHEMICAL SAFETY STRATEGIES

    • Using the Products
    • Read the label.
    • For spray products, spray on the sponge, towel, or rag, rather than on the surface area.
    • Turn spray nozzles away from your face and eyes (and those of anybody else!)
    • Work in well-ventilated area (i.e., open a window or use a fan).
18. Slide 18

    CHEMICAL SAFETY STRATEGIES

    • Use PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
    • Check the label for recommendations.
    • Use thick, well-fitted household cleaning gloves.
    • This is the best way to keep corrosive and irritating cleaning products away from your skin.
    • Use a household odor respirator or dusk mask. Make sure it fits properly.
19. Slide 19

    CHEMICAL SAFETY STRATEGIES

    • Use PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
    • Use chemical safety glasses. Make sure they fit you properly.
    • Use protective footwear. Waterproof and slip-proof shoes will prevent chemicals reaching your feet and stop you from slipping.
    • Find less dangerous chemicals for cleaning (i.e., baking soda, vinegar); Check products for the EPA’s “Safer Choice” label.
    • Make your own safe cleaning products. See end of Handout 4, Chemical Safety Strategies.
20. Slide 20

    MODULE 3:

    • I NTRODUCTION TO OSHA
21. Slide 21

    FILING A COMPLAINT WITH OSHA

    • If you believe your workplace is unsafe or unhealthy, tell your employer.
    • You have the right to file a complaint with OSHA.
    • File a complaint by mail, by telephone or online
    • If there is an emergency, use the telephone to file your complaint.
    • OSHA will keep your complaint confidential.
22. Slide 22

    FILING A COMPLAINT WITH OSHA

    • You have the right to file a complaint without fear of retaliation.
    • If you believe your employer has retaliated against you for complaining, you can file a Whistleblower Complaint.
    • See Handout 10 in your Participant Handbook for information on how to file. You can also visit: www.osha.gov
23. Slide 23

    R EFERENCES

    • Aguirre, S. (2016, December 12). 7 Important Parts of a Cleaning Product Label [Make your best home.]. Retrieved from https://www.thespruce.com/parts-of-a-cleaning-product-label-1900744
    • Amarelo, M. (2017, October 16). Calif. Governor Signs Cleaning Product Disclosure Law. Retrieved from http://www.ewg.org/release/calif-governor-signs-cleaning-product-disclosure-law#.WeyhfROPLeS
    • Cleaning Label Signal Words. (2017, February 2). Retrieved from http://www.ecocenter.org/cleaning-label-signal-words
    • Common Cleaning Products Can Be Dangerous When Mixed. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://health.utah.gov/enviroepi/activities/FNTSIP/Common Cleaning Products Can Be Dangerous When Mixed.pdf
    • Decoding the Labels. (n.d.). [Retrieved from http://www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners/content/decoding_labels#.WeylKROPLeQ
    • Freedman, L. (2016, December 15). Cleaning Products You Should NEVER Mix [Philosophy: Life should be full of pleasures, not chores. Let us help you keep it that way.]. Retrieved from http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a32773/cleaning-products-never-mix/
    • Hemmings, H.C. & Egan, T.D. (2012). Pharmacology and physiology for anesthesia ebook. Elsevier Health Sciences. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. (2007). Cincinnati, OH: Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/niosh
    • Protecting Your Eyes at Work. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/caring-for-your-vision/protecting-your-vision
    • Risk at Work - Personal protective equipment (PPE). (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.hse.gov.uk/toolbox/ppe.htm Safer Choice. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/saferchoice
    • Types of Household Cleaning Products. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.healthycleaning101.org/types-of-household-cleaning-products/
    • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH). (2014). Caring for yourself while caring for others. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2015-102/default.html