LBNL provides
free medical monitoring to all employees who face workplace
risks. The program is designed to monitor potential health
hazards associated with research and development activity with
recombinant DNA, Bloodborne pathogens, other etiologic agents,
hazardous chemicals and heavy metals. The program is coordinated
by an occupational physician.
Persons with severe immunological deficiencies or persons
undergoing treatment with immunosuppressive drugs and certain
other medical disorders should be discouraged/prevented from
working with potentially infectious organisms. Persons
undergoing treatments with antibiotics or steroids; persons
with eczema, colitis, ileitis, active chronic diarrhea or
other gastrointestinal disorders; and women during pregnancy
must seriously consider whether or not they should participate
in any research activities. Consultation with a physician
and other health and safety professionals (including biohazard
specialists) is available.
Any changes in the health status of research personnel or
illness which lasts four days or longer must be reported to
the PI and Health Services. If there is any suspicion
of rDNA involvement a physician will be consulted.
Annually a review questionnaire will be sent to each worker
known to use recombinant or carcinogenic materials.
Completed forms will be reviewed by our medical surveillance
coordinator. The physician will be monitoring for the
incidence of unusual illnesses at LBNL. All staff members
are encouraged to cooperate with this survey, which is strictly
confidential. Personnel engaged in work with substantial
hazards are urged to participate in the medical surveillance
program.
If a safe and effective vaccine is available against an organism
with which a person must work, LBNL will provide it free.
The most common example is Hepatitis B immunization.
Personnel using human source materials are urged to be immunized
against Hepatitis B. The vaccine currently used at LBNL
is made from recombinant material and NOT from human source
material (sera). Participation in this program is voluntary
and individuals should assess the risk/benefit ratio after
consultations with health care providers. The vaccination
is administered by Health Services personnel. Following
the final injection, the IBC recommends that individuals submit
a blood sample in order to evaluate the immunization effectiveness.
If unusual treatments or vaccines are needed in case of an
accident, Health Services should be apprised of the situation
before work begins in order for the appropriate materials
to be available for emergency treatment.
