Safety and Compliance Flashcards

Why must a pacemaker be removed from a body before cremation?

Answer: Its lithium battery can explode under high heat, damaging equipment and endangering staff

Sealed lithium batteries in pacemakers and similar devices can explode in the retort, damaging refractory and injuring operators.

Under OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, within how many working days of initial assignment must an employer offer the hepatitis B vaccine to exposed employees?

Answer: 10 working days

29 CFR 1910.1030 requires the hepatitis B vaccination series be made available within 10 working days of initial assignment.

An emergency eyewash station in a crematory should be able to provide flushing fluid for at least how long?

Answer: 15 minutes

ANSI Z358.1 calls for a continuous 15-minute flush at eyewash stations.

Which container material is generally prohibited or discouraged for cremation because it releases hazardous emissions such as hydrogen chloride?

Answer: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

PVC releases hydrogen chloride and other toxic compounds when burned, so it is excluded from cremation containers.

Which document provides employees with hazard, handling, and first-aid information for chemicals used in the crematory?

Answer: Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard requires accessible Safety Data Sheets for each hazardous chemical in the workplace.

What is the primary purpose of a crematory's afterburner (secondary chamber) from a compliance standpoint?

Answer: To reduce smoke, odor, and particulate emissions to meet air-quality permits

The secondary chamber burns off gases and particulates so emissions comply with state and local air permits.

Before servicing a cremated remains processor, which OSHA procedure should an operator follow to prevent unexpected startup?

Answer: Lockout/tagout

Lockout/tagout (29 CFR 1910.147) isolates energy sources so machinery cannot start during maintenance.