What's included in "Hazardous Materials"?
"Hazardous Materials" includes human blood/tissues, hazardous chemicals, or biological agents, as well as radiation and radioactivity-producing materials.
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Precautions to Avoid Injury or Illness
People working with hazardous agents should take additional precautions by:
- observing the EH&S approved safety plan
- using a biological safety cabinet when handling infectious materials
- using a fume hood when handling toxic materials
- decontaminating (by autoclaving or chemical disinfection) non-disposable materials before washing or reuse
- placing biologically contaminated materials in biohazard bag for incineration or autoclave, and familiarizing yourself with the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for chemicals you use
- If using radioactive materials, following the requirements of the Principal Investigator's radioactive material sublicense and UT Southwestern's Radiation Safety Manual.
People who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant and people with compromised immune systems may be at increased risk. Please consult the Occupational Health Nurse right away for a private consultation.
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Information for Those Working with Radiation and Radioactivity-producing Materials
People working with radiation or radioactivity-producing materials must attend the EH&S Radiation Safety Training class. Register for the next class on-line using OAS.
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Information for Those Working with Human blood/tissues, Hazardous Chemicals, or Biological Agents
People working with human blood/tissues, hazardous chemicals, or biological agents must attend the EH&S Hazard Communication Training class. Register for the next class on-line using OAS.
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What to do In Case of Injury or Illness
In the event of a serious emergency, seek immediate medical attention (on campus, dial 8-8911) and follow up with the Occupational Health Nurse within 24 hours. If a work related injury/exposure does not require emergency care, you may see the WPP Occupational Health Nurse or a doctor of your choice. In either event, tell the health care provider if your work involves laboratory animals.
Personnel are responsible to report immediately any work-related injury, illness or symptom. This includes rodent bites, needle sticks, trips/slips/falls, allergic reactions, or any other health problems related to the work environment. Failure to report work-related symptoms may disqualify an employee from worker's compensation benefits. Furthermore, withholding information about work-related symptoms may unnecessarily put others at risk of a correctable procedural or environmental hazard.
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If you are injured on the job, immediately notify a supervisor, who will file a First Report of Injury form. Then, if medical attention is required, contact either the WPP Occupational Health Nurse at 214-648-9163, or you may elect to see a doctor of your choice. The WPP Occupational Health Nurse can quickly assist you and/or refer you to a UT Southwestern medical specialist. After hours and on weekends, the nurse can be paged at 214-344-9854.
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If you should experience allergy-like reactions (rash, wheezing, shortness of breath, sneezing/runny nose, etc.) that you believe are related to your work, or if you become ill with unexplained symptoms, please contact the WPP Occupational Health Nurse at 214-648-9163 for an evaluation. The nurse can assess your symptoms and may refer you for further evaluation by a UT Southwestern specialist or you may elect to see a physician of your choice.
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For a copy of the Worker Protection Program Brochure please contact the Occupational Health Department.
www.utsouthwestern.edu/workerprotection
email: workerprotection@utsouthwestern.edu
