CMT Health, Safety & Sanitation Standards 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, which document must be accessible to mortuary employees for every hazardous chemical used in the preparation room?
- Safety Data Sheet (SDS) (Correct answer)
- Material Inventory Log
- Exposure Incident Report
- Chemical Purchase Order
Correct answer: Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
OSHA's HazCom Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) requires Safety Data Sheets to be readily accessible to employees for every hazardous chemical in their work area.
Question 2: Which body condition requires the use of an isolation/containment pouch in addition to standard PPE during preparation?
- Active tuberculosis (TB) decedent with open lesions (Correct answer)
- Decedent with a hip replacement implant
- Elderly decedent with dehydration
- Decedent who died of cardiac arrest
Correct answer: Active tuberculosis (TB) decedent with open lesions
Active TB decedents with open lesions present an airborne and contact pathogen risk that requires full containment pouches and enhanced respiratory protection beyond standard PPE.
Question 3: What is the correct disposal method for sharps (needles, scalpels) used during embalming?
- Place uncapped directly into a puncture-resistant sharps container at point of use (Correct answer)
- Recap needle then place in regular trash
- Wrap in gauze and place in biohazard bag
- Bend needle before discarding to prevent reuse
Correct answer: Place uncapped directly into a puncture-resistant sharps container at point of use
OSHA requires immediate disposal of uncapped sharps into puncture-resistant, leak-proof sharps containers at the point of use to prevent needlestick injuries.
Question 4: Which personal protective equipment is MANDATORY when transferring remains that are known to be MRSA-positive?
- Gloves, gown, and face protection at minimum (Correct answer)
- Gloves only
- N95 respirator only
- No additional PPE beyond standard gloves is required
Correct answer: Gloves, gown, and face protection at minimum
MRSA requires contact precautions including gloves and gown at minimum, plus face protection if splashing is possible, to prevent contact transmission.
Question 5: Which embalming chemical is classified as a Group 1 human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)?
- Formaldehyde (Correct answer)
- Methanol
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Phenol
Correct answer: Formaldehyde
The IARC classified formaldehyde as a Group 1 (confirmed) human carcinogen in 2004, linked to nasopharyngeal cancer and leukemia with occupational exposure.
Question 6: How should biohazardous waste from the preparation room (blood-soaked materials, tissue) be labeled before transport?
- With the universal biohazard symbol and the word BIOHAZARD in fluorescent orange or orange-red (Correct answer)
- With a red cross symbol only
- With a skull-and-crossbones hazard label
- With a yellow caution tape wrap
Correct answer: With the universal biohazard symbol and the word BIOHAZARD in fluorescent orange or orange-red
OSHA requires biohazardous waste containers to display the fluorescent orange or orange-red biohazard symbol and the word BIOHAZARD per 29 CFR 1910.1030.
Question 7: Which pathogen-reduction technique is used to decontaminate non-critical instruments (e.g., embalming forceps) between uses?
- High-level disinfection using glutaraldehyde or orthophthalaldehyde (OPA) solution (Correct answer)
- Autoclaving at 134°C for 18 minutes
- Rinsing with tap water only
- Wiping with a dry cloth
Correct answer: High-level disinfection using glutaraldehyde or orthophthalaldehyde (OPA) solution
Non-critical instruments that contact intact skin should receive high-level disinfection using approved chemical germicides like glutaraldehyde or OPA between uses.
CMT Health, Safety & Sanitation Standards 3
Under the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, which document must be accessible to mortuary employees for every hazardous chemical used in the preparation room?