Boca Raton Police Hazardous Chemicals SOP PDF

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Standard Operating Procedure 46.05 HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS IN THE WORKPLACE Revised: new I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this Standard Operating Procedure is to provide guidelines regarding the handling of and response to incidents of hazardous chemicals in the workpl...

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Standard Operating Procedure 46.05 HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS IN THE WORKPLACE Revised: new I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this Standard Operating Procedure is to provide guidelines regarding the handling of and response to incidents of hazardous chemicals in the workplace or at scenes. II. POLICY: The Department in conjunction with the City has established procedures for the safe identification, handling, and disposition of hazardous chemicals and biological hazards. All personnel shall utilize the utmost care when handling identified or suspected materials that are deemed hazardous and refer to all City and Department guidelines, such as the Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan for further assistance. III. PROCEDURE: A. WRITTEN INFORMATION: 1. The Department will inform employees of the hazardous chemicals to which they are exposed in the workplace, and provide training in safe handling practices and emergency procedures for these substances. Reference is made to OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.1200 Hazard Communication. a. It is the responsibility of the Training Unit supervisor to obtain and maintain for a period of thirty (30) years a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for each listed hazardous chemical present in the Department. b. MSDS binders are available from Risk Management and are to be kept in the workplace where it is accessible to all personnel during all shifts. c. It is the responsibility of the person who receives a shipment of a substance that includes a MSDS to give the data sheet to the Training Unit supervisor. d. Employees who order a substance for the first time should ensure that a MSDS can be obtained and that it is given to the Training Unit supervisor. Effective: February 4, 2013 Revised: Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace SOP No. 46.05 Page 1 of 2 e. New employees shall be instructed upon hire on the adverse health effects of each hazardous chemical with which they work in the Department, how to use the substance safely, and what to do in case of an emergency. f. During hazmat training, all Department employees shall be instructed concerning the effects, safe use, and emergency procedures regarding toxic substances with which they work. B. DISPOSAL OF MEDICAL WASTE: 1. The Palm Beach County Health Unit (PBCHU) has made the following recommendations regarding the disposal of medical waste: a. Items that include syringes with liquid in them or other containers with suspected body fluids are considered hazardous. b. Hazardous items should be securely wrapped and placed in the evidence refrigerator in a sharps container, if needed. c. If an isolated instance of bio-hazardous waste is found, e.g., sharp, hypodermic needle, etc. employees can pick up the item and place it in the sharps container in the sally port. d. If a large quantity of bio-hazardous or medical waste is found in the ocean or on the shore, do not touch the item(s) and notify Fire Rescue Services’ HAZMAT Team to respond and the Department of Environmental Protection, who will provide a list of contractors the City can use to collect and dispose of the waste. 2. Materials and items without fluids or those that have obviously been in the water for a considerable period are not considered hazardous and may be disposed of. No telephone call is necessary. 3. In all cases, syringes with needles should be placed in safety containers. Any case of a puncture wound from a syringe or other sharp object, whether hazardous or not, should be reported to Risk Management, following Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan guidelines. Approved: Daniel C. Alexander Chief of Police Effective: February 4, 2013 Revised: Date: Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace SOP No. 46.05 Page 2 of 2