SAFETY MEMORANDUM
DATE: September 1, 1996
TO: ALL CNSM FACULTY, STAFF, FOUNDATION & STUDENT EMPLOYEES
FROM: Kristin Hunter & Jeff Mellon, CNSM EH&S Coordinators
SUBJECT: SAFETY MEMO 55 __________________________________________________________________________________
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH -- Chemical exposure in the workplace can not only impact your overall health, but in some cases can target your reproductive system. The best method to reduce the threat to reproductive health is to keep your exposure to all chemicals as low as possible. Exposure can be controlled by a combination of engineering controls (like fume/biosafety hoods, automated lab aids, etc.), substitution of a less hazardous agent when possible, the employment of personal protective equipment (gloves, goggles, labcoat, special clothing, etc.), and the constant use of safe work practices. The latter includes knowing the hazards of the chemicals with which you work, and evaluating your levels of exposure to these chemicals. Read the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for the hazardous items to which you may be exposed. A good MSDS will not only identify the hazardous material’s “target organ”, such as the reproductive system, but will also indicate routes of exposure (such as inhalation or skin absorption). An MSDS will also indicate the maximum allowable airborne concentration of the material; a level which is considered safe by Cal/OSHA. Recall that immediate access to MSDS is required by law – see Safety Memo 50.
If working conditions endanger the reproductive health of any individual, the employee must in most circumstances alter working conditions to eliminate the danger or, upon request of the employee, transfer the employee to a less hazardous position until the threat to reproductive health has been ameliorated. If an employee disabled by pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition, transfers to a less hazardous position, an employer must allow her to return to her original job or a substantially similar job when she is no longer disabled. Discrimination in employment because of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions is sex discrimination and is illegal. Additional information and helpful references may be obtained by contacting the CNSM Safety Office at x55623 or the Office of Safety and Risk Management at x58260.
WORKPLACE EXPOSURE MONITORING -- Faculty, staff and student workers have a right to have their workplace exposure to airborne hazards evaluated. If exposure levels approach or could exceed legal limits, a formal industrial hygiene survey (sampling and analysis) to quantify your exposure will typically be performed. Contact the CNSM Safety Office for details.
NEEDLE HANDLING POLICY -- The purpose of this policy is to protect students, employees and the general public from needlestick and/or exposure to chemicals or biohazardous materials via needlestick. You must consistently observe the following SAFE WORK PRACTICES to reduce the likelihood of chemical or biohazardous materials exposure and/or injury from needles:
1. Needles must never be bent or broken prior to disposal. Needle cutting devices may not be used.
2. Needles must never be recapped unless no other alternative is feasible. Reusable needles may only be recapped using mechanical means or a ONE-HANDED RECAPPING PROCESS. The "one-handed recapping process" means that you cannot hold the cap while recapping.
3. Used needles/sharps shall be discarded immediately after use into an approved SHARPS CONTAINER. These containers are available FREE FROM THE CNSM SAFETY OFFICE!
4. Do not overfill the sharps containers. Contact the CNSM Safety Office full.
5. NEVER THROW NEEDLES INTO ANY TRASH CAN! Use the sharps container.