Easier access to occupational health

General Article
July 3, 2003

Environmental Health and Safety Department improvements aim to keep center, Alliance staff informed, immunized, safe

Occupational health nurse Rhonda Ellis administers a quick and relatively pain-free TB test. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not mandate the use of gloves since exposure to blood is not reasonably anticipated. Photo by Todd McNaught

By RHONDA ELLIS

Environmental Health and Safety Department's (EH&S) Occupational Health Program is making it easier to access a nurse, obtain immunization and training records and complete annual bloodborne-pathogens training from the convenience of your personal computer. The changes include the following:

Occupational Health phone tree

Employees now only need to call one number to reach the best person to address their questions or concerns. After dialing 206-667-5600, the caller will hear a menu of choices to help ensure that the call reaches the correct person. For example, if calling to request an immunization record or to report an injury, the menu will direct the caller to the extension of the staff member who handles these programs. To bypass the menu and speak to someone immediately, the caller can press "0" during office hours.

Drop-in clinics

Effective immediately, the Occupational Health Program will staff weekly drop-in immunization and TB testing clinics every Wednesday from 10 a.m.?12 noon in Room 415 on the fifth floor of the Yale Building. The drop-in clinics, in addition to twice-monthly employee health clinic, will make it more convenient for employees to address their immunization and/or TB testing requirements. Employees do not need an appointment to attend the drop-in clinics.

New immunization requirement

Beginning Jan. 1, 2003 any employee, born after Dec. 31, 1956, who enters the Alliance as part of his or her job must show proof that they have had two mumps/measles/rubella (MMR) vaccinations in order to satisfy immunization requirements.

Previously, employees entering the Alliance only had to show proof of having received one MMR vaccine. The immunization requirement increased to meet the Center for Disease Control guidelines for immunizations of health-care workers. Employees notified for additional immunization and/or TB testing can visit the employee health clinics or the new weekly drop-in clinics to met this requirement. The majority of employees will only need a simple blood test to detect MMR immunity-an extra step that goes a long way in protecting the health of Alliance patients.

Bloodborne pathogens training online

Every year approximately 1,000 center employees are required to attend the annual bloodborne pathogens refresher training in order to satisfy federal requirements. This year, for the first time, this training is being offered online. Employees required to participate in this training will be notified in July 2003. The notices will direct employees to the EH&S Web site where they can easily complete the annual training from the convenience of their computer. To access the training, visit: http://www.fhcrc.org/admin/facilities/ehs/training/bbp_online.

For resources and answers to question related to EH&S, visit the Web page at http://www.fhcrc.org/admin/facilities/ehs/.

Listed below are some of the topics covered in the Environmental Health and Safety Web page:

• The most up-to-date version of the HAMM
• (Hazard Awareness & Management Manual)
• Illness and injury reporting
• Department forms
• Chemical safety information
• MSDS, material safety date sheets databases
• Ergonomics resources and information
• Mothers' lactation rooms
• (available on campus)
• Radiation safety
• Biosafety
• Fire and emergency management
• Hazardous waste collection schedule
• Lab coat service
• Safety committees
• Training schedules for bloodborne pathogens, lab safety, radiation safety, ergonomics, CPR and first aid and other classes.

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