Administrative Controls: Change the Way People Work
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Administrative controls are changes in work procedures to reduce the duration, frequency, and severity of exposure to hazardous chemicals or situations. Administrative controls include work practice controls which are intended to reduce the likelihood of exposure by changing the way a task is performed.
Examples of administrative controls include:
- Train on job-related hazards during initial assignment, for any new or updated procedure, and whenever a new process or piece of equipment is introduced
- Provide for medical surveillance, vaccination, fit testing, equipment, appropriate selection and availability of PPE
- Train and educate about proper use and disposal of PPE and surface disinfection and cleaning practices
- Pre-screen patients for aerosol transmissible diseases and/or communicable diseases and reschedule patient contact or appointment, as necessary
- Adjust work schedules to avoid fatigue and burnout
- Display warning signs for potential hazards (e.g., bloodborne pathogens, lasers)
- Identify and label dedicated area for biohazardous waste and contaminated linen storage
- Make written health and safety policy and procedure manuals available and accessible, 24 hours a day/7 days per week and ensure they are annually reviewed and updated:
- Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan
- Toxic and Hazardous Substances (for laboratories)
- Provide a written inventory of hazardous chemicals, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and secondary labels accessible 24/7, organized, and in alphabetical order
Work Practice control examples include:
- Hand Hygiene (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020) and per CDC guidance (Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings, Healthcare Providers, January 2021): Unless hands are visibly soiled, an alcohol-based hand rub is preferred over soap and water in most clinical situations due to evidence of better compliance compared to soap and water. Hand rubs are generally less irritating to hands and, in the absence of a sink, are an effective method of cleaning hands.
- Review for hazardous products currently under FDA investigation
- Identify dedicated areas for food and drink storage, eating, drinking, and for applying cosmetics
- Transport contaminated instruments using labeled, covered containers
- Use spill kits (biohazardous, chemical, and chemotherapy)
- Handle patients safely through use of personal protective equipment