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r'm, SAN JOAQUIN GENERAL HOSPITAL Department of ENGINEERING Pagel Of 6 Effective Date 6/02 Date Replaces 11/95 Title of Policy/Procedure HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN PURPOSE The mission of San Joaquin General Hospital is to improve the health of the community by providing cost-effective, quality healthcare and hospital services. Consistent with this mission, Hospital Administration has established the Hazardous Materials and Waste Management program described in this plan and provides ongoing support. The purpose of the Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Plan is to identify and manage materials known to have the potential to harm humans or the environment. The plan includes processes designed to minimize the risk of harm. The processes include education, procedures for safe use, storage and disposal, and management of spills or exposures. SCOPE The Hazardous Materials and Waste Management program is designed to address the risks associated with the variety of substances specified in this plan for the San Joaquin General Hospital environment and the patients, visitors and staff of the organization. The program is also designed to assure compliance with applicable codes and regulations. The program applies to each facility operated on behalf of San Joaquin General Hospital. III. FUNDAMENTALS A. The scope of the Hazardous Materials and Waste Management program is determined by the materials used and the waste generated by the facility. B. Hazards associated with the materials and wastes are defined by law or regulation and are identified in Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) or similar documents provided by suppliers and manufacturers. C. Safe use of hazardous materials and handling of wastes requires participation by department managers and other appropriate staff in the design and implementation of all parts of the plan. D. Protection from hazards requires all staff who use or are exposed to hazardous materials and wastes to become educated to the nature of the hazards and to use equipment provided for safe use and handling when working with or around hazardous materials and wastes. E. Rapid effective response is required if a spill, release or exposure to a hazardous material and waste occurs. F. Segregation of hazardous wastes at the point of generation is an effective means of controlling the potential for exposures or spills during collection, transport, storage and disposal. G. Special monitoring processes or systems may be required to manage certain gases, vapors or radiation undetectable by humans.