CTO Safety Standards & Documentation 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a solvent-based adhesive is used in the orthotics lab, which safety document must be immediately accessible to all staff?
- Safety Data Sheet (SDS) (Correct answer)
- Certificate of Insurance
- Patient intake form
- ISO 9001 quality manual
Correct answer: Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom) requires SDS documents to be readily accessible whenever hazardous chemicals are in use.
Question 2: A used ankle-foot orthosis is returned for repair. What is the FIRST step before beginning work?
- Disinfect the device per the lab's infection control protocol (Correct answer)
- Begin grinding the rough areas immediately
- Remove all padding without gloves
- Photograph the device for social media
Correct answer: Disinfect the device per the lab's infection control protocol
Returned devices must be decontaminated before handling to protect technician safety per infection control standards.
Question 3: Which accreditation body's standards most directly affect documentation practices in a US orthotics and prosthetics facility?
- ABC (American Board for Certification) (Correct answer)
- AATB (American Association of Tissue Banks)
- ACGME (Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education)
- CAP (College of American Pathologists)
Correct answer: ABC (American Board for Certification)
ABC accreditation standards set documentation, quality, and safety requirements specifically for O&P facilities in the US.
Question 4: What is the purpose of a nonconformance report (NCR) in an orthotics lab quality system?
- To document when a device or process fails to meet specified requirements (Correct answer)
- To record patient payment history
- To track technician vacation days
- To list approved vendors only
Correct answer: To document when a device or process fails to meet specified requirements
NCRs formally capture deviations from quality standards so root causes can be identified and corrective actions implemented.
Question 5: Which chemical commonly used in orthotics labs requires ventilation controls due to its classification as a potential carcinogen?
- Methyl methacrylate (acrylic monomer) (Correct answer)
- Isopropyl alcohol (70%)
- Distilled water
- Sodium chloride solution
Correct answer: Methyl methacrylate (acrylic monomer)
Methyl methacrylate monomer used in acrylic fabrication is classified as a potential carcinogen and requires local exhaust ventilation.
Question 6: Under lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures, when must a technician apply a personal lock?
- Before servicing or maintaining equipment with stored energy (Correct answer)
- Only when a supervisor is absent
- After the equipment is back in operation
- When cleaning the floor near machinery
Correct answer: Before servicing or maintaining equipment with stored energy
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147 requires LOTO before any servicing where unexpected energization could cause injury.
Question 7: A technician discovers a medication allergy notation in a patient's file that was not communicated to the practitioner. What is the correct action?
- Flag the file and immediately notify the supervising practitioner (Correct answer)
- Ignore it as it's outside the technician's scope
- Update the patient's insurance records
- File it under billing documentation
Correct answer: Flag the file and immediately notify the supervising practitioner
Material allergies (e.g., latex, nickel) directly affect orthotic material selection and must be communicated to the prescribing practitioner.
CTO Safety Standards & Documentation 3
When a solvent-based adhesive is used in the orthotics lab, which safety document must be immediately accessible to all staff?