Glutaraldehyde Exposure Surveys
Determination of Glutaraldehyde Exposure
Exposure to glutaraldehyde vapour in the workplace is a significant hazard to employees which must be addressed in a manner consistent with the Health & Safety in Employment Act 1992.
The Occupational Safety & Health Service of the Department of Labour (OSH) has published a booklet entitled "The Safe Occupational Use of Glutaraldehyde in the Health Industries" which provides a general overview of the hazards posed by glutaraldehyde in radiographic and high-level disinfection applications, and presents principles for control of the hazards.
Under the Health & Safety in Employment Act 1992, the employer is obligated to ensure that for all processes using glutaraldehyde adequate measures are taken to limit exposure to airborne glutaraldehyde vapour. Adequacy of these safety measures should be verified for the process and re-verified if the process is changed in a way that may impact glutaraldehyde exposure.
Furthermore, the process should be regularly audited to ensure that the safety measures continue to be effective.
The frequency of the audit is not specified as it will depend on the details of the process and the safety measures. As a guide based on our knowledge of other testing and validation protocols, we suggest the following:
For fully automated and vented processes (e.g. automatic X-ray processes or automatic disinfectors) an audit annually. (All buildings fitted with such equipment should be checked annually and a warrant of fitness obtained in accordance with the Building Act 1991.)
For semi-automatic and manual processes whether or not in a validated fume cupboard or fume hood, an audit every 6 months. (Fume cupboards should be validated every 6 months in accordance with Australian Standard AS2248-1992 = NZS 7203-92.)
Accredited Test Laboratory
Total Air Care is accredited by International Accreditation New Zealand in the field of controlled environments - such as operating theatres, safety cabinets and fume cupboards. Our accreditation does not yet cover gas contamination testing, but the laboratory disciplines and procedures enforced by International Accreditation New Zealand ensure that testing is conducted in a professional manner.
Standard Services
Two levels of service are offered. The Process Validation Audit is designed to test whether the process together with the safety measures results in an acceptable level of glutaraldehyde exposure. The Routine Audit is designed to verify that the process together with the safety measures continue to work satisfactorily.
1. Process Validation
The specifics of the testing will be determined by the process to be validated. In general, spot measurements of glutaraldehyde vapour concentration will be measured at
- The centre of the room (ambient) before and after the process.
- Operator positions at each stage of the process.
- A range of locations at the worst-case stage of the process.
- Depending on the process, 12 - 15 glutaraldehyde measurements will be taken.
The measured concentration should never exceed 0.20 ppm which is the ceiling value specified by OSH in "Workplace Exposure Standards, 1994".
As well as providing validation of the process, this testing provides a rational basis for selecting the locations and the critical process stage which forms the basis of the routine audit.
With a process validation, a report showing the process layout and process stages will be prepared to present the process performance fully. Also, an appraisal of the performance of the system is included in a covering letter with specific recommendations should the system performance be sub-standard.
2. Routine Audit
Re-tests following a process validation are faster and reporting is less detailed.
Based on the results of the process validation, only the ambient and locations around the critical process stage are measured and reported.
Around 9 glutaraldehyde measurements are taken and none should exceed the 0.20 ppm ceiling.
Total Air Care service includes the following:
1. Immediate Communication of Problems
The test technician will communicate information regarding any problem associated with the process and/or safety measures immediately following testing or as soon as possible.
2. Test Report
A detailed report on each process tested will usually be completed and mailed within 10 working days of completing the testing. The test report lists all the tests performed and the results obtained.
3. Courteous and Professional Service
You can expect our test laboratory staff to conduct themselves in a courteous and professional manner. If you have any complaints please advise us so we can take corrective action.
4. Audit Reminder
Your process details will be loaded into our computer data base and we will automatically contact you before your process becomes due for the next audit.
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