Environmental Compliance

POLICY

Lifemark Health is committed to full compliance with all applicable environmental laws and regulations. With increasing federal and provincial environmental regulations and greater emphasis on such regulations by voluntary standards organizations such as Accreditation Canada (AC) and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), health care providers such as Lifemark Health face growing compliance demands

PROCEDURE

CLEAN AIR

All staff members are responsible to ensure the air quality is of the highest standard and that there are no known toxins entering the air system. Smoking is not permitted in any Lifemark Health facility.

1. Staff members who become aware of any smell or toxins within the air must find the source and determine the following:

A) If there is no danger associated with the smell the staff member should stop the leakage.

B) If the toxins are related to smoking the person must be asked to stop.

C) If there is danger associated with the smell such as a gas leak the clinic should be evacuated following the evacuation procedure and the appropriate agencies should be contacted to repair the leak.

2. If an evacuation is required an Incident Report should be completed.

3. Any maintenance or equipment repair should be reported to the Clinic Director.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

Necessary precautions will be taken to protect staff members and clients from any injuries that may occur due to spills of hazardous materials that may occur in any of the active areas. Hazardous materials include products named under the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) and consumer bought products bearing warning labels. Whenever possible, hazardous material will not be stored on site. All hazardous material information (Material Safety Data Sheet) is to be kept updated by the Clinic Director/Occupational Health and Safety Representative and should be retained at the clinic.

1. The location of all WHMIS material must be clearly identified on the floor plan.

2. All WHMIS products must be properly labeled.

3. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) must be on site for all WHMIS products.

BIO-HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

Necessary precautions will be taken to protect staff members and clients from bio-hazardous materials. Bio-hazardous materials include, but are not limited to, blood, urine, vomit, and other bodily fluids.

In the event of a bio-hazardous spill,

1. All clients should be removed from the immediate area.

2. The area should be ventilated if possible (i.e. open door).

3. The staff member or individual responsible for the cleanup should wear rubber or latex gloves and eye protection to prevent any injuries.

4. The area should be cleaned immediately with a soap and water solution, followed by a cleaning solution.

5. The staff member involved in the spill should fill out an Incident Report.

SHARPS AND NEEDLES

Necessary precautions will be taken to protect staff members and clients from any transferable blood pathogens that may occur due to mishandling of needles/sharps. All staff must know how to appropriately handle sharps and needles to prevent the spread of infections.

1. Only staff members providing, and trained to provide, services requiring sharps and needles will be allowed to handle them.

2. Staff members will exercise extraordinary caution when handling sharps and needles.

3. Never re-cap used needles.

4. Never bend or break needles.

5. The needles and sharps will be disposed of immediately after use at the patient’s side, into an appropriately labeled puncture resistant container.

6. All sharps containers must be stored below eye level, out of the reach of children and in a safe place.

7. Caution must be used when depositing used needles/sharps into disposal container. Sharp containers must only be filled to ¾ levels or to the manufacturer’s instructions. A recognized hazardous material disposal company will collect the puncture resistant container. A formal log of all disposals must be maintained and available during inspection.

8. In the instance of a used/dirty needle or sharp breaking the skin of a client, visitor or staff member, a staff member must disinfect the area and immediately report the incident to the clinician and Facility Director/ Supervisor. The person who experienced the puncture wound and the person from whom the sharp/needle was removed should be tested for blood pathogens. An Incident and Investigation Report must be completed

9. Unused needles and sharps must be stored out of sight and not accessible to patients and other LIFEMARK HEALTH guests.

10. It is recommended that staff members who use sharps and needles when providing treatment to their patients are vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B.

RECYCLING

Lifemark Health is committed to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle where possible. Each Workplace Health and Safety Representative is responsible for orchestrating a Recycling Program within their facility, independently or in conjunction with the building.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT

For additional information please refer to the Federal Environmental Protection Act at http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/regs/english/elaws_regs_900347_e.htm