Wear patient examination gloves during cleanup.
Place collected mercury in a sealed, suitable liquid- and vapor-tight container, and remove to a designated area for disposal as mercury waste.
Scrub contaminated surfaces with mercury decontaminant to convert any trapped mercury.
Clean thoroughly any equipment or instrument, such as amalgamator, that becomes contaminated with mercury with a mercury decontaminant.
Contact the cognizant industrial hygiene office to test the decontaminated area and equipment for residual mercury.
Mercury and mercury compounds will not be dumped into any body of water including open seas or oceans, or intentionally released into any ship's waste disposal system. Shipboard mercury storage and handling areas should not be connected to deck drainage systems.
For shipboard only, all mercury-contaminated waste, including scrap amalgam, will be collected, and packaged with a double boundary of confinement using plastic bags, sealable drums, or polyethylene bottles and labeled.
For shore facilities, dispose packaged mercury waste in cooperation with the base environmental public works department.
Special disposal procedures are not required for items contaminated with trace amounts of mercury, such as used disposable amalgam capsules. Reclose amalgam capsules after use, or seal used capsules in a denture bag.
The major causes of burns are inattentiveness and rushing through a task. Two types of burns are possible in DTFs-thermal and chemical. Whether thermal or chemical, burns are injuries that can be avoided by exercising caution.
Thermal Thermal burns are caused by open flames and hot surfaces. Common dental items using open flames are Bunsen burners and torches. Dental items that may be hot include compound and wax heaters, sterilizers, and items in the sterilizers, such as instruments. Constant awareness of the use, condition, and location of these items is essential to prevent thermal injury. Equipment should be located in an area convenient for use while minimizing the chance of accidental burns. Flames are difficult to see, so make a habit of keeping them away from flammable liquids, materials, and yourself. Always use heat-resistant gloves or the device supplied by the manufacturer to remove items from sterilizers. Always allow sterilized items to cool before using. Items should never be taken out of the sterilizer and placed directly on the instrument tray for use or placed directly into a patient's mouth.
Chemical burns result from contact with a caustic agent, whereas, damage from thermal burns cease when the heat source is removed. Chemical burns may continue below the skin long after removing the agent from the skin's surface. A caustic chemical burn must be neutralized. When handling caustic chemicals, you should know what the neutralizer is and where it is located. Often, the neutralizer cannot penetrate the skin with the same efficiency as the caustic agent. Immediate treatment by professional medical personnel is essential. Chemical burns of the eyes and skin can result from careless use of many materials such as etchant acids, radiographic solutions, endodontic materials, and bleaching agents.
Protective eyewear should always be worn when handling hazardous liquid chemicals for protection against splash hazards. Proper storage of chemicals is critical for safety.
ENVIRONMENT Additional hazards or safety items are associated with the dental environment. This includes allergens and sensitizing agents, visible light, injury by projectiles, noise, and psychological effects.
Many patients or personnel may be allergic to one or more of the materials used in the DTF. Other individuals may develop allergies or sensitivities from the use or misuse of materials. Dust from poor housekeeping, grinding, or buffing and polishing can become hazards. Chemicals in medicaments or disinfectants, sterilizer solutions, formalin, solvents, acrylic resins, impression materials, radiographic solutions, waxes, cements, unset composites, and
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