Transcript Development of a Reproductive Health Protection Program

Development of a Reproductive
and Developmental Health
Protection Program
Why and How?
Esther Luckhardt
Stanford University EH&S
ehs.stanford.edu
Introduction
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Objectives
Why develop the program?
How did we develop the program?
Program specifics
Case Studies
Lessons Learned
Objectives
Protect the reproductive health of all employees and
students from occupational exposures to substances
(chemical, biological, radiological or physical) known or
suspected of being capable of posing a hazard to
human reproduction
Identify potential reproductive and developmental
hazards and implement appropriate exposure control
measures
Definitions
Reproductive Toxicity - Adverse effects on the health
of the reproductive organs, endocrine system, or
gametes (egg or sperm) from exposure to an
exogenous agent
Developmental Toxicity – Adverse effects on the
developing organism that may occur anytime from
conception to sexual maturity
Why?
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No general OSHA standards governing reproductive
hazards
- limited Cal/OSHA standards
- Radiation dose limit established by CA Dept. of Health Services
General Duty Clause
Short term exposures during a critical period can result
in long-term health effects
Established controls that are adequate for the general
working population may not be so for a pregnant
individual and her unborn child
How?
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Conducted a benchmark study with other universities
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Collaborated with professionals in Health Physics,
Biosafety, and Chemistry.
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Consulted with an Occupational Medicine Physician
and Stanford Risk Management
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Reviewed program with campus Legal Department and
Human Resources
Program Awareness
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Information included in Laboratory Safety and
Hazard Communication Trainings
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Many contact us in their first trimester
Program Specifics
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1
Confidential conference with concerned individual
Have individual fill out Reproductive and
Developmental Health Hazard Questionnaire1
Conduct an evaluation of individual’s work and
worksite
Speak with individual’s supervisor
Provide recommendations
Adopted from: “Reproductive Hazards of the Workplace,” Frazier, Linda and Hage, Martin. 1998
Reproductive and Developmental Health Hazard Questionnaire1
Name
Date
Phone
E-mail
Dept.
Supervisor
A. Agents used at work – Continue on separate page if needed
List materials you are currently Frequency and
Physical
using or anticipate that you
Duration of use State
might use during pre(once/ day for
(solid,
conception period or pregnancy two hrs, etc.)
liquid, gas)
Chemical Agents:
Quantity used Protective Equipment (Bench
per unit of
vs. Fume Hood, Gloves,
time (e.g., 10 Respirator, etc.)
ml per week)
Radiation:
Biological Agents:
Noise:
1
Adopted from: “Reproductive Hazards of the Workplace” Frazier, Linda & Hage, Marvin. 1998.
A. Do you have any specific health or safety concerns about your work? If so, describe:
B. Do you store or consume food or beverages in your workplace?
C. What type of personal protective equipment do you wear while working?
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Gloves
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Lab Coat/ Apron
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Dust Mask
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Respirator
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Hearing Protection
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Other (list)
D. Have you had any spills or unintentional exposures recently? If so, describe:
E. Laboratory Environment: (of applicable)
(1) How much of your time do you spend doing:
Bench work _________ %
Office work _________ %
(2) Are other people working in the same lab room as you?
 yes
 no
(3) Does your hood have enough room in it?
 yes
 no
(4) Describe how chemicals are stored in your lab:
F. Describe the physical demands of your work:
Duration & Frequency
Lifting:
Bending/Twisting:
Sitting
Standing:
Description
Evaluation of Work and Worksite
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Review responses to questionnaire (including use of
chemical, biological and/or radiological agents, PPE
use, and ergonomic issues)
Review work practices, SOPs, engineering controls,
and adjacent operation(s) for potential exposure(s)
Review level and adequacy of training
Consult with Occupational Health Physician as needed
(EH&S and/or employee or student)
Provide recommendations, encourage individual to
share report with physician
Scope of recommendations
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EH&S’s role is to evaluate and recommend
exposure controls
It is the role of the physician to determine if
work modification is required
If necessary, Stanford University Human
Resources department will be involved
Anti-Discrimination Policy
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No employee removed from exposure will
suffer any loss of earnings.
While the transfer of certain employees may be
necessary in some cases, it will only be
considered where substitution, additional
engineering controls and safer work practices
are technologically unfeasible or ineffective in
reducing exposure to desired levels.
Case Study 1 – Work Modification
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Lab researcher worked with over 40 chemicals
EH&S recommended a combination of engineering,
PPE and administrative controls (i.e., assigning other
employees to work with Cryostat machine, conduct
dark room work) to minimize exposures
Department felt it could not implement
recommendations, so rotated employee out during
remainder of pregnancy
Case Study 2 – Apprehensive
Physician
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Employee shared our report/recommendations with
OB/GYN
OB/GYN contacted EH&S and was upset that the
responsibility was placed on herself
Made arrangements for both the OB/GYN and the
employee to speak with an Occupational Health
Physician
Ultimate decision still the responsibility of the OB/GYN
Case Study 3 – Busy Graduate
Student
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Student’s perception of work responsibilities
differed from her official responsibilities
Her actual exposures should have been less
than her reported exposures
Conferred with Supervisor to determine job
duties
Lessons Learned
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Every case is different
Importance of coordinating with employee’s
Supervisor
Stress program awareness – early inquiry by
employee/student is best