PSFC Chemical Hygiene Plan continued (O-Q)

O.Shipping Hazardous and Dangerous Material

The transportation of hazardous materials and compressed gases over public roads or by air is strictly governed by federal and state regulations.  Dangerous goods, as defined by governing regulations, include:

• Explosives (class 1)
• Compressed gases (class 2)
• Flammable liquids (class 3)
• Other flammables, e.g. spontaneously combustible materials (class 4)
• Oxidizers --- oxygen sources (class 5)
• Poisonous/toxic substances (class 6)
• Biohazard materials (class 6)
• Radioactive material (class 7)
• Corrosive materials (class 8)
• Miscellaneous hazards, e.g. dry ice and asbestos (class 9)                                            

Any shipment of these items that is to travel over public roads or by air must comply with regulations regarding quantity, packaging, and labeling.  The principle regulations are the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) (49 CFR 100-185), regulations for shipping hazardous materials. Information can be accessed at http://hazmat.dot.gov/.   Department, Laboratory, or Center (DLC) personnel who intend to ship materials by air or land, or convey these items over public roads by Institute or personal vehicles must contact the EHS Office.  More details regarding shipping hazardous materials and the EHS Office service can be found on the EHS Website at: http://ehs.mit.edu/site/content/hazardous-materials-shipping-mit

If you plan to ship materials, the EHS Office offers two awareness courses:  “Shipping Hazardous Chemicals Awareness” and “Shipping Biohazardous Materials Awareness”. You should select options in the EHS Training Needs Assessment to indicate you may ship hazardous chemicals or biological materials, to assure you are provided the appropriate awareness training.    Individuals may register for the courses at http://ehs.mit.edu/site/training .

If you are shipping or receiving chemicals that are not generally found in commerce (i.e. available commercially), you may be subject to additional rules through the EPA Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). See Part IV. Section 8. for additional information on TSCA.

If you plan to ship materials to other countries, this will be considered an export, and there are additional requirements you need to meet to assure the materials are properly shipped.  More guidance is on the EHS shipping website at: http://ehs.mit.edu/site/content/hazardous-materials-shipping-mit

 Return to Table of Contents of the PSFC Chemical Hygiene Plan

1. Programs
1. Medical surveillance is offered, to employees or students exposed routinely to the following hazards:

   Asbestos *

   Arsenic +

   Beryllium *

   Cadmium +

   Carcinogen +

   Ionizing Radiation

   Lasers (Class III or IV) *

   Lead + (machining or heating)

   Mercury +

   Noise (Hearing Loss) *

   Respirator Use (See Respirator Policy)

   Thallium +

   Tower Climbing

   Confined Space Work *

   Physician Visit *

   Laboratory Values and Report Only +

2. In addition, employees or students who wish to discuss workplace risks, reproductive hazards, allergies, workplace illnesses, or other workplace exposure matters may do so.  There are no charges for employees or students who need these services.

2. Researchers with Medical Conditions

   Individuals with medical conditions that could lead to sudden incapacity and who work with hazardous materials or processes during the course of their research may be at increased risk for injury to themselves or others. Anyone with such a medical condition who believes that they may be at increased risk is recommended to contact MIT Occupational Medicine services (E23-171, 253-8552) for consultation and advice on how they may more safely perform their work. Supervisors who have concerns about an individual’s health condition and its effect on that person’s ability to safely work in a laboratory should also consult with MIT Occupational Medical Services.

    

   Postdoctoral researchers in need of special accommodation as a result of a medical condition should contact the MIT Disability Services Office (E19-215, x4-0082). Students should contact MIT Office of Student Disabilities Services (7-145, x3-1674). Supervisors who have concerns regarding an individual’s accommodation requests should contact the appropriate Disabilities Services Office. It is MIT’s policy to make every effort to provide reasonable accommodations necessary for researchers to carry out their work.

    
   

3. Purpose:
1. The purpose of medical surveillance is, as a secondary means of prevention, to detect early failures of primary means of workplace protection that may result in workplace illness.
2. Enrollment

   Enrollment in ongoing routine medical surveillance is initiated by dialing 253-5360 or 253-1752.

3. To see a physician about workplace illnesses, allergies, or risks, dial 253-4904.
4. Enrollment and Compliance Responsibility
1. Identification of individuals at potential risk.
   • It is the responsibility of supervisors to identify new employees/students who are exposed to hazards, and to provide names and work addresses to the MIT EH&S Team
   • Individuals not otherwise identified but who believe that they incur hazardous exposures may request enrollment themselves by dialing 253-5360 or 253-1752.
   • MIT EH&S may identify individuals or populations of individuals at risk and invite their participation.
5. Compliance With Scheduled Appointments
1. It is the responsibility of individuals to appear promptly for scheduled appointments
2. MIT EH&S offers but does not require compliance with scheduled medical surveillance
3. The departments or other administrative entities may, as a matter of written policy, require enrollment and participation in medical surveillance provided that such requirements apply equally to all affected individuals
6. Description of program elements and periodicity.
Table I provides a review of program elements and periodicity

Table 1. MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMS & PERIODICALS

PROGRAM	VISITS/YEAR	PROVIDER	OTHER FEEDBACK	BLOOD TESTING	URINE TESTING	CHEST X-RAY	EKG	BREATHING TEST
Asbestos	1	Phys	Letter	-	-	X	-	X
Arsenic	4	-	Letter	-	X	-	-	-
Beryllium	1	Phys	-	-	-	X	-	X
Cadmium	1	-	Letter	-	X	-	-	-
Carcinogen	1	-	Letter	X	X	-	-	-
Confined Space	+	Phys	Letter	X	X	-	X	X
Laser	*	Ophth	-	-	-	-	-	-
Lead	4	-	Letter	X	-	-	-	-
Mercury	1	-	Letter	-	X	-	-	-
Noise	1	Aud	-	-	-	-	-	-
Respirator Use	+	Phys	Form	-	-	-	-	X
Thallium	1-4	-	Letter	-	-	-	-	-
Tower Climbing	1/2	Phys	Letter	X	X	-	-	X

NOTE:For confined space work, requirements may vary depending on the degree of restriction or if respiratory protection is required.

+An initial physician review of the employee medical record is required. Other tests are ordered (or omitted) as indicated for individuals.

*Preplacement, termination, and incident exams only.

7. Invitations for Introductory and Periodic Medical Surveillance
1. Once individuals are enrolled, introductory and periodic invitations are automatically mailed to them. These are accompanied by appropriate lab slips and directions. On receipt, individuals are still responsible for calling to set up a time of appointment (253-4904).
2. Supervisors who believe that individuals have been inadvertently omitted from medical surveillance may enroll or re-enroll exposed individuals. To receive invitations call 253-5360.
3. Individuals who believe that they have been inadvertently omitted may enroll or re-enroll. To receive invitations, call 253-5360.
8. Right To Privacy

Your medical surveillance results are private. They are part of a medical record which is kept within the medical department. The only individual who can initiate the dissemination of this information outside of the medical department is you.

9. Right To Information

You have the right to be informed of the results of your medical surveillance, and this will happen normally as a matter of course.

1. Physician Visit

   If your surveillance involves a physician or other provider visit, you will be informed of findings at the time of your visit.

2. Lab Results only, or Incomplete Information at time of Physician Visit

   If complete surveillance information is not given to you at the time of provider visits, because surveillance involved lab work only or because the full information was not yet available at the time of the visit, you will receive a letter informing you of results.

3. Questions About Results or Incomplete Reporting

   If you have not received complete information about an encounter within one month from the time of the visit, of if you have questions about the information received, please call 253-5360 to obtain additional information.

10. Rights Of Supervisors

Supervisors have a right, and sometimes a legal duty, to know if individuals are medically fit to perform certain kinds of work (such as wearing respirators on the job).

Supervisors are not entitled to know diagnoses, medical findings, or other personal information in the medical record.

When supervisors need information, the information given to supervisors is in one of three categories:

1. Fit to perform the operation.
2. Not fit to perform the operation.
3. Fit to perform the operation with the following specific restrictions (weight limits, time limits, equipment limits, etc.)

The respirator qualifications "example" form below is necessitated by Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations, and it provides an example of information given to supervisors.

Additional information can be given to supervisors only at the patient's written request.

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MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

MEDICAL DEPARTMENT

QUALIFICATION FOR RESPIRATOR USE

PATIENT NAME MEDICAL RECORD NUMBER

THIS INDIVIDUAL IS PHYSICALLY QUALIFIED FOR RESPIRATOR USE:

YES:

THIS INDIVIDUAL IS NOT PHYSICALLY QUALIFIED TO WEAR A RESPIRATOR:

NO:

THIS INDIVIDUAL IS PHYSICALLY QUALIFIED FOR RESPIRATOR USE WITH THE FOLLOWING RESERVATIONS OR EXCEPTIONS:

DATE PHYSICIANS SIGNATURE

Return to Table of Contents of the PSFC Chemical Hygiene Plan

Q. ACCIDENTAL EXPOSURE INCIDENTS AND EMERGENCY PROCEDURES