CENTRAL STERILE CHEMICAL EXPOSURE TESTING

The purpose of Heinemann's chemical exposure testing programs is to minimize or control exposure to prevent potential health effects from occupational exposure by:

• Conducting exposure assessments and monitoring
• Establishing safe handling practices and controls to minimize exposure
• Providing health hazard information and training
• Maintaining an employee medical surveillance program

Ethylene Oxide Monitoring

HEM'S ethylene oxide monitoring program addresses:

• Exposure assessments and monitoring
  • Monitoring of breathing zones for employee exposure during running of sterilizers and aerators
• Leak detection of sterilizer, aerator and supply lines and tanks
• Hazard communication
  • Monitor employee work practice and emergency action plans
• Engineering controls
  • Ventilation system evaluation of inlet and exhaust vents to calculate total air exchange rate
• Protective equipment
• Employee medical surveillance
• Emergencies
  • Evaluate emergency action plans
• Reporting
  • Results include: 8 HR TWA; 15 MIN STEL