Lab & Safety Protocol
USE OF EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
INFECTION CONTROL
SAFETY AND EVACUATION PROCEDURES
USE OF EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
In some OTA courses, equipment and tools will be utilized that can be dangerous if used inappropriately. Examples of such equipment include, but are not limited to: electrical stimulation devices, paraffin, the ultrasound unit, moist heat, tools and chemicals for therapeutic media class, therapy balls and splinting equipment. In each case, safety instructions will be provided prior to educational use of equipment, tools, devices or substances. It is imperative that all students pay close attention to these instructions and refrain from using implements which are not well-understood.
Policy: Safety shall be the number one priority for staff and students in all educational and lab activities.
Safety in Educational/Lab Activities Procedures:
Safety is the number one priority in all educational activities. The following procedures are required to maximize safety and prevent accidents or other health impacting events:
- Students may use classrooms for practice of clinical skills or lab activities only with OTA faculty present. If faculty are not present, even if activity seems safe, do not engage in clinical skills or lab activities.
- The instructor will educate students on safety procedures for individual clinical and lab procedures. Faculty shall be responsible for demonstrating proper use of any hazardous materials and appropriate use of department equipment. Students must pay close attention to instructions and be mindful to adhere to safety precautions.
- No equipment or supplies may be removed from the Program area without faculty approval. With faculty permission, you may sign out selected equipment and supplies. All equipment and supplies that are removed from the classroom should be returned the next class day unless another agreement has been made with a faculty member.
- Students will be instructed on appropriate infection control procedures during Fieldwork, OT Skills 1 and Foundations courses, begin in semester one.
- Emergency and evacuation procedures will be conspicuously posted in each classroom area.
- Students will contribute to maintaining the classroom so that it is a safe environment.
- Students assume responsibility for following instructions during an emergency.
- Students should notify safety personnel immediately after any injury. They should then contact their instructor and/or the chair of the department.
- The lab safety book with emergency procedures, safety policies, and Material Safety Data Sheets is located in the centralized lab area on the main windowsill area.
- Standard precautions as defined by Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) shall be followed at all times.
- First aid kits are available in the main lab area (room 245) and main classroom (room 239) areas.
INFECTION CONTROL
Transmission of infection is an ever-present risk for both workers and clients in health care environments. OTA students will receive detailed training in Level I fieldwork classes and OTS I regarding use of personal protective equipment (e.g.- gloves, masks), sterilization techniques and hand washing. Students are expected to apply these procedures as a top priority when engaged in laboratory or fieldwork activities.
After instruction in safety and universal precautions, the student assumes the risk of infection due to their own actions in the clinical setting and the inherent risks involved due to the nature of the profession. Each student will be taught and expected to practice good patient contact procedures. Due to the nature of the OTA profession, each student may come in contact with potentially infectious blood or body fluids while out at fieldwork. Each student will receive training in bloodborne pathogens and instructed in the correct procedures and techniques of handling and disposing of biological hazards. Failure to adhere to correct safety procedures may result in infection/disease for the student or their co-workers. Repeated disregard for safety will result in dismissal from the OTA Program.
SAFETY AND EVACUATION PROCEDURES
Please review basic safety procedures for various educational activities. Please be aware that added precautions will be given at time of lab practice.
Educational Activity | Safety Procedures |
Infection control of objects | Wipe down any devices/implements shared among lab mates in between uses with antiseptic or alcohol wipe. (e.g.- blood pressure cuffs, pulse oximeters) |
Use of Ultrasound | Do not place US over eyes, heart or throat. Keep US sound head moving during treatment. Observe safe parameters for intensity. |
Use of Electrical Stimulation | Do not place electrodes near heart or head. |
Use of TENS unit | Do not place electrodes near heart or head. |
Use of Hot packs | Be sure to have appropriate number of layers (at least 6) in between skin and hot pack (covers and/or towels). |
Use of hydrocollator | If retrieving hot packs always use tongs. (Do not try to retrieve packs with your fingers) |
Use of cold pack/ice massage | Do not maintain contact with ice on skin for > 1 min after partner reports skin feels numb. |
Use of laser unit | Use eye protection. Do not look at laser. Observe safe parameters for intensity. |
Use of fluidotherapy | Be sure to secure sleeves of unit. Dust on floor can create a slipping hazard. |
Use of weights, pulley system | Keep fingers away from weights Use good body mechanics |
Splint Making | Use spatula to retrieve splint material from splinting pan. Use extra care with heat gun; do not point gun at skin. Use cooling techniques before placing hot splint material on partner. Do not spray cold spray into partners face. Remove splint from partner before attempting cutting modifications. |
Lifting and other Body Mechanics activities | Use leg muscles rather than back and arm muscles. Keep center of gravity over base of support. |
Wheelchair activities | Be aware of others in your environment to prevent collisions. Be aware that inclines can be difficult to manage. |
Practice of transfers | Always use good body mechanics (e.g.- weight shifting techniques). Lift with legs not your back. Do not attempt to lift more than your perceived limit. Use gait belts unless otherwise instructed. Be sure wheelchairs are locked! |
Evacuation of OT Program Area:
In the event OTA must evacuate from the OT program area, please see the evacuation route posted next to the doorway in OTA Program areas (i.e.- rooms 239, 245 and 230). You will proceed down the nearest stairwell and out of the side door at bottom of the stairwell.
Specific events that may affect the evacuation procedure:
Active Shooter
Your instructor(s) will review specific active shooter protocol for the Program based on classroom location of potential incident. It is highly recommended to follow stated protocol as deviation from such could result in injury or death. If circumstances are such that require you to “escape the area”, do so at your own risk and discretion and flee to the safest place you perceive. Look for directions from PRCC Campus Police, PRCC employees and other first responders when you exit the building. If there is no one to guide you, seek what you perceive to be the safest location where you can be hidden from threats.
Bomb threat
If possible, pull the fire alarm and proceed quickly from building. The OTA Program will meet together at the grass area between the Allied Health Building and Building #7- past the far NE corner of the back-parking lot. OTA students/faculty must stay together so we can count and be accounted for in this emergency situation. Campus police and instructors may direct the group from there if necessary. DO NOT RE-ENTER THE BUILDING FOR ANY REASON UNTIL TOLD TO DO SO BY THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
Fire
If possible, pull the fire alarm and proceed quickly from building. The OTA program will meet together at the grass area between the Allied Health Building and Building #7- past the far NE corner of the back-parking lot. If you are unable to descend the stairs in the stairwell nearest to the OTA Program (due to smoke or flames), attempt to exit in either the middle or far stairwells. OTA students/faculty must stay together so we can count and be accounted for in this emergency situation. Campus police and instructors may direct the group from there if necessary. DO NOT RE-ENTER THE BUILDING FOR ANY REASON UNTIL TOLD TO DO SO BY THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY.