Chemical spill evacuates clinic; sickens workers
OSHA Healthcare Connection, April 3, 2007
Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to OSHA Healthcare Connection!
An accidental chemical spill in an East Los Angeles medical clinic caused the evacuation of the business and the hospitalization of healthcare workers, reported the Los Angeles Times, March 29.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatched a hazmat crew to a report of a carbolic acid spill at the AltaMed healthcare clinic. Fumes from the six-ounce spill caused nausea, vomiting, and breathing problems with 14 employees who were taken to the hospital.
AltaMed Health Services, the not for profit corporation that runs the clinic, said that two workers remained in emergency department for extended observation while the others were released that evening.
In the Los Angeles Times report, the clinic said that it uses the carbolic acid, also known as phenol, in diluted form as a disinfectant and antiseptic, mostly to treat ingrown toenails.
Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to OSHA Healthcare Connection!
Related Products
-
Hospital Safety Center
Improve compliance with hospital safety standards from The Joint Commission, OSHA, and other regulators with this...
-
Healthcare Life Safety Compliance
Learn Life Safety Code tips and interpretations for healthcare facilities with this in-depth monthly resource.
-
Hospital Safety Connection
Stay on top of hospital safety requirements and best practices with our free, fast-paced weekly update.
-
Administering Your OSHA Program
This course will help an employee new to the role of OSHA safety officer. It gives an overview of OSHA requirements and...
-
Medical OSHA Manual Combo
Get into compliance with Quality America's OSHA Safety Program Manual and stay in compliance with OSHA Watch Newsletter...
Most Popular
- Articles
-
- HIPAA Q&A: Answering service messages
- Featured blog post: Nurses face felony charges after reporting physician to the Texas Medical Board
- Q/A: Volume requirement for reporting hydration services
- Q&A: Coding for dry skin due to cold weather
- Are your workforce members texting PHI?
- Topic: CMS, OESS post new security compliance review information, checklist
- What does case-mix index mean to you?
- OB services: Coding inside and outside of the package
- Catch up on what's new with injections and infusions
- Privacy, security concerns high in HIEs
- E-mailed
-
- Featured blog post: Nurses face felony charges after reporting physician to the Texas Medical Board
- Q/A: Volume requirement for reporting hydration services
- HIPAA Q&A: Level of encryption needed for email
- HIPAA Q&A: Answering service messages
- Q&A: Coding for sepsis when other conditions are present
- HIPAA Q&A: TPO disclosures to a business associate
- Are your workforce members texting PHI?
- Q&A: Coding for dry skin due to cold weather
- What does case-mix index mean to you?
- Don't let these sentinel events trigger falsely
- Searched