Q&A: Break room sink and instrument decontamination
OSHA Healthcare Connection, July 7, 2009
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Q: Is it OK to use the break room sink for soaking and decontaminating instruments?
A: Unless you are going to make the break room off limits while the described activity occurs, this would be a clear violation of the bloodborne pathogen standard that prohibits eating and drinking in areas where bloodborne exposure could occur (1910.1030[d][2][ix]).
It would be best to find a different area for instrument decontamination.
For more insight into this dilemma, see “No thank you, I am not that thirsty” on the OSHA Healthcare Advisor.
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