Training occupational exposure

Universal precautions training that complies with the OSHA standard on occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens, as well as a fire training program, should be provided on an annual basis for all laboratory employees. Personnel are required to use proper personal protective devices when handling corrosive, flammable, biohazard, or carcinogenic substances. Eye wash sta-... 

Air sampling for occupational exposure to pesticides normally consists of measurement of pesticide concentrations in the worker s breathing zone, with a portable air-sampling pump and a sampling train which includes some type of collection device. The latter device, or sampling media, selected are based on the physical and chemical properties of the compound to be measured. Field workers may be exposed to chemical vapors, solid particulates or water-based aerosols. Examples of sampling media include membrane filters, sorbent tubes, polyurethane foam and charcoal. A discussion of pesticide exposure provides a useful review of methods for respiratory exposure measurement (Nigg etal, 1990). 

For apprentices of 16-18 years of age who are training for employment involving exposure to radiation and for students of age 16-18 who are required to use sources in the course of their studies, the occupational exposure shall be so controlled that the following limits are not exceeded ... 

Group II A job classification in which SOME employees have occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials. Employees in this group would be those whose performance of their duties as defined by their job classification, or whose special assigned tasks, put them at risk for possible exposure to human blood or other potentially infectious materials. An example of an employee who would fit into this classification would be an instrument technician whose duties require routine maintenance or repair of an instrument in which blood or other potentially infectious materials might be encountered. These individuals must receive the same training and orientation as employees in Group I. 

Fahey, B.J. Koziol, D.E. Banks, S.M. Henderson, D.K. Frequency of nonparenteral occupational exposures to blood and body fluids before and after universal precautions training. Am. J. Med. 1991, 90, 145-153. 

CFR1910.1450, Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories . 29CFR1926.21, Safety Training and Education . 

Any physician involved in a health assurance program will have had the usual training and exposure to a variety of medical experiences. It also is highly desirable for the individual to have specific training in industrial medicine. Since the actual conditions of employee exposure to hazardous materials will differ with each organization, the physician should be sufficiently famihar with the types of ejqrosures represented by the job descriptions of the employees to be able to apply his own expertise and experience to the potential ejqrosures. The more complex and diversified the research programs in an organization, the more difficult this task will be, and unfortunately, there are relatively few physicians trained as occupational physicians. It probably would be desirable for the physician to set aside some time to visit the various research areas, and visit with both the supervisors and individual employees. 

The vaccinations must be made available after the employee has received training concerning information on the efficacy safety, method of administration, benefits of vaccination, and the fact that the vaccine and vaccination will be free to the employee and within 10 working days of initial assignment to a position where occupational exposures are possible. If a titer reveals that the employee still has immunity from a prior vaccination or there are medical reasons why the employee should not receive the vaccination, the vaccination is not required. 

Employers must ensure that aU employees with occupational exposures participate in a training program, at no cost to the employees and during normal working honrs. The training shall... 

Per Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulation 29 CFR 1910.1450, Occupational Exposures to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories, is a written plan that includes specific work practices, standard operating procedures, equipment, engineering controls, and policies to ensure that employees are protected from hazardous exposure levels to all potentially hazardous chemicals in use in their work areas. The OSHA standard provides for training, employee access to information, medical consultations, examinations, hazard identification procedures, respirator use, and record-keeping practices. 

Employees should know what to do when confronted with an emergency involving blood or other potentially infectious materials, postexposure evaluations, the HBV vaccine, and the use of signs and labels. After training, make vaccinations available to those who run the risk of exposure. Employers should establish a medical record for each employee with occupational exposure. Keep this record confidential and keep it separate from other personnel records. Employers can keep... 

All employees with occupational exposure must receive initial and annual training on the hazards associated with exposure to bloodborne pathogens. The training must also address the protective measures taken to minimize the risk of occupational exposure. Employers must conduct retraining... 

For students 16-18 years of age who are required to use radiation sources in their training and studies, the occupational exposure shall be controlled, and the following annual limits must not be exceeded effective dose of 6 mSv, equivalent dose of 50 mSv to the lens of the eye, and equivalent dose of 150 mSv to the extremities or the skin. 

The maintenance of medical records, to be kept for each employee who has had occupational exposure for the duration of employment plus 30 years, must be confidential and must include names and social security numbers hepatitis B vaccination status (including dates) results of any examinations, medical testing, and follow-up procedures a copy of the healthcare professional s written opinion and a copy of information provided to the healthcare professional. Training records must be maintained for 3 years and must include dates, contents of the training program or a summary, trainer s name and qualifications, and names and job titles of all persons attending the sessions. Medical records must be made available to the employee, anyone with written consent of the employee, and OSHA and NIOSH (they are not available to the employer). Disposal of records must be in accord with OSHA s standard covering access to records. 

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