Welcome to Jefferson Regional Medical Center

MERCURY EXPOSURE

To ensure proper protection  for employees with potential for Mercury (Hg) exposure.

SECTION 2:  PROCEDURE

A. Covered Employees:

Covered employees at Jefferson Regional Medical Center are those designated employees of the
            Clinical Engineering Department and Security who may be called to clean up a mercury
            spill.

B. Repair Work :

No repair of  Mercury Baumanometers will be performed at Jefferson Memorial
Hospital its facilities. All Mercury Baumanometers that require repair, including cleaning of Mercury will be discarded (properly) and replaced with a mechanical Aneroid Sphygmomanometer.  This will be done in an effort to eventually eliminate all Mercury from the Hospital and its facilities.

There will be no mercury stored in/or by the Clinical Engineering Department.

C. Clean up of Mercury Spills:

1. Protective clothing, such as gloves and gowns will be used when contact with Hg may be expected.

2. Equipment with Hg, such as blood pressure machines, will be immediately cleaned of all visible mercury droplets with either the cleaning compound or a mercury vacuum, which is a vacuum cleaner with a filter that will not disperse mercury vapor or droplets.

POLICY: POLICY:  Appendix 5.1

JEFFERSON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
POLICY/PROCEDURE

SUBJECT:  SAFETY POLICY FOR MERCURY EXPOSURE

DISTRIBUTION:  All Departments

______________________________________________________________________________
SECTION 2:  PROCEDURE  (CONTINUED)

3. Any spills onto the floor will be cleaned up immediately with the mercury cleaning
      compound or a mercury vacuum.

4. Objects used for cleaning mercury columns or mercury contaminated instruments will
       be discarded and not reused.

5. Employees will wash their hands after the repairs are completed.

C. Disposal:

Mercury will not be flushed into sewer system, whether in a sink or on the floor. Because
            of its density, the mercury gets caught in the trap where it continues to vaporize and contaminate the area..

All spilt  Mercury will be reclaimed, so for as possible, and placed into glass or plastic
            containers and given to a approved waste facility.

All devices contaminated with mercury, clothing too soiled to launder or gloves, as well as mercury embedded in the cleaning compound and vacuum cleaner filter, will be
            discarded as hazardous waste and disposed of with an RCRA- approved waste Facility.

D. Employee Training:

Training of employees who work with mercury will be performed prior to assignment where exposure may occur and then annually.

Training will include:

1. The physical properties of mercury.
2. The health hazards associated with mercury.
3. All aspects of the program outlined above.
4. How to get information concerning the hazards and safe handling of mercury.
5. Who to go to for medical attention.

POLICY:  Appendix 5.1

JEFFERSON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
POLICY/PROCEDURE

SUBJECT:  SAFETY POLICY FOR MERCURY EXPOSURE

DISTRIBUTION:  All Departments

______________________________________________________________________________
SECTION 2:  PROCEDURE (CONTINUED)

E. Health Hazard Data:

Short term mercury inhalation may cause headache, fever, tremors, cough, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, fatigue, chest tightness, and pneumonia.  Some may notice a metallic taste in their mouth.

Mercury can be absorbed through the skin and can cause skin irritation.  Eye exposure can also cause eye irritation.

Ingestion of large amounts of mercury can produce erosive gastritis.

Long term exposure to mercury can cause headache, impaired memory, dizziness, irritability, sleeplessness, tremors, increased salivation, irritation of the gums with a blue line between teeth and gums, loss of appetite.

The liver and kidney can also be damaged by mercury accumulation.

Prolonged exposure to high levels of mercury has been linked to birth defects in pregnant women.

F. Emergency First Aid:

Eye exposure: Flush eyes with large amounts of water immediately, lifting both the upper and lower lid.  Remove contact lenses immediately.  Seek medical attention.

Skin exposure: Wash affected areas immediately with water upon contamination with mercury.  If mercury soiled clothing, it will be washed separately or discarded. Seek medical attention.

Inhalation: Upon inhalation of mercury, remove the exposed employee to fresh air at once.  Administer 100% oxygen.  If breathing has stopped, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation.  See medical attention.

Swallowing: If mercury is swallowed, give employee large amounts of water and induce vomiting (if conscious). Seek medical attention.

US Patent Numbers 7,720,998 B2, 7,836,207