Jackie,
Pre-placement medicals would protect your organisation in identifying any
susceptible individuals from coming into contact with the drug and would
also protect the organisation from scurrilous litigation. Health
Surveillance would be undertaken to protect your workers in early detection
of work related illness and also monitors the effectiveness of your control
measures. Never forget that PPE always fails to danger never to safety.
Regards,
Jeremy R F Smith
RGN AIIRSM BSc Hons (OHN)
Occupational Health Advisor - Dover Harbour Board
-----Original Message-----
From: Becker, Jackie [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 06 June 2001 15:22
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject:
This is my query - on our site we have a potent cytotoxic drug, called
Paclitaxol (Taxol) that has a R45 classification ('may cause cancer'). We
use it for research and development purposes. It has an occupational
exposure limit supplied by the manufacturer that we have never exceeded nor
come anywhere close to exceeding and strict controls are in place e.g. PPE,
containment and segregation. Our monitoring is done regularly and risk
assessments done indicate that with all our controls, it is a low risk area.
According to the data sheet, it is recommended that we do a baseline
pre-placement medical examination for those with potential exposure to the
drug - which we do. However, can someone help me understand something - if
our OEL is always well below the guideline, this implies no harm to health,
right? Then what is the purpose of carrying out a medical or periodic
follow-up if all our other controls that are in place, are working for us?
If anyone can help me, I would be grateful. Thanks.
Jackie Becker
[log in to unmask]
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