SARS-Coronaviruses and Highly Pathogenic Influenza Viruses
Section 10: Required occupational health practices
The following ongoing occupational health practices will be performed for all employees working in the SARS and HPI laboratory.
10.1 An initial and annual serum sample will be tested, and an aliquot stored in the Wadsworth Center staff serum banking facility.
10.2 Education for all employees working in the SARS or HPI laboratory regarding the details and implementation of this protocol must be provided prior to admission to the laboratory and should include discussions of information management during events or illness in the interest of open communications as well as rumor control.
10.3 There may be an initial physical examination to establish baseline physical parameters that may be useful in evaluation of respiratory infections developing during periods following potential exposure. The respirator program, or other regular examination at the Department of Civil Service Employee Health Center may serve this purpose.
10.4 Unexplained employee absenteeism will initiate a supervisor inquiry to rule out an unreported respiratory illness requiring a risk assessment response.
10.5 In the interest of both optimizing patient management practices and supporting public health practices, a review of relevant employee medical records by the infectious disease medical provider may be necessary. The employee should be made aware of this prior to working in the BSL-3 laboratory, and documentation that the employee has been apprised of this possibility should be on file. Consent forms may be completed upon assignment to the BSL-3 laboratory.
10.6 Surgical masks and thermometers for home monitoring use will be provided by the Wadsworth Center upon assignment to the BSL-3 laboratory, as will recording forms.
10.7 The Wadsworth Center Safety and Security Office will coordinate some aspects of medical services, maintain some records and interpret and enforce workplace health regulations.
10.8 The Infectious Disease Medical Provider, in conjunction with the County and DOH epidemiologists will arrange for required imaging, isolation, hospitalization, and patient transport.
10.9 Initial and continuing education of all BSL-3 laboratory staff in laboratory safety and occupational health practices is the basis for proper execution of the provisions of this protocol.