Health issues direct contact

Several points about the OSHA Laboratory Standard deserve special mention. The intention of the standard is to supersede existing OSHA health standards, but other OSHA mles on topics not specifically addressed in the standard remain applicable. The so-called "general duty" clause of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, which requires an employer to "furnish to each of his employees. .. a place of employment... free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm. .. " and requires an employee to "comply with occupational safety and health standards and all rules. .. issued pursuant to this chapter which are applicable to his own actions and conduct" continues to be applicable and, indeed, is one of the most commonly cited sections in cases of alleged OSHA violations. Other OSHA standards relating to possible eye or skin contact must continue to be observed. There are dozens of chemicals in this category. They are listed in 29 CFR 1910 as well as in specific standards following Section 1910.1000, such as the vinyl chloride standard, 29 CFR 1910.1017, which prohibits direct contact with liquid vinyl chloride. 

Community service organizations can play a direct role in providing specific health indicator data that would contribute to a syndromic surveillance system. Worksite absenteeism or patterns of health care behavior among clients are examples of potential indicators, but issues related to the confidentiality of such information under HIPAA have yet to be fully addressed. Even if no formal surveillance partnership to provide data exists, community service organizations should still consider themselves as stakeholders in the overall community response plans for biological events. They should also publicize the emergency public health contact information within their organizations. Table 20.3 lists several specific actions that community service... 

Another variable is the area of area of skin that can come in direct skin contact with these surfaces. Some of the original work on this issue was done by the New York State Department of Health. Under the New York State method, the activity is evaluated as to exposure potential and the surface area in cm specified for individuals and tasks. Assessments are then made as to the percent of uptake off surfaces. Empirical evidence suggest that 80-90% of the surface PCB contamination can be removed by wiping a surface with a hexane saturated wiping cloth. It is thus seen as a very conservative assessment that the dry skin of the hand would have significantly less uptake efficiency. Variations on this uptake efficiency can significantly vary the outcome. 

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