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| THE OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY |
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OEH&S The UCSF Office of
Environmental Health and Safety (OEH&S) provides occupational
as well as environmental exposure monitoring to determine the
type and extent of exposures, if any.
Occupational Monitoring Monitoring may be performed to evaluate health hazard(s) that any UCSF employee may be exposed to at his or her workplace. Health hazards that are a direct result of the process(s) or work performed are covered in this section. If the source of the health hazard is from the environment (furniture, carpets, etc.) or activities outside their work area (construction, traffic, other departments, etc.) they are generally considered indoor air quality related. Indoor air quality concerns from sources such as the environment within the work area (furniture, carpets, etc.) or activities outside (constructions, traffic, other departments, etc.). is of considerable concern to UCSF employees. Although this type of exposure does not generate exposures that exceed any occupational regulations, it does raise many comfort issues. In these cases, OEH&S routinely examines the ventilation system and sources of pollutants and makes every reasonable effort to optimize the quality of the work environment. Ventilation systems are evaluated from the source of fresh air into the building, amount of air entering and leaving the workspace and ventilation equipment maintenance. The quality of the fresh air intake can be affected by proximity to exhaust stacks, nearby construction, loading docks, traffic, etc. Air circulation within a workspace can be optimized to increase comfort level by evaluating the ventilation system registers, doors and windows as well as the location and movement of employees and visitors. Maintenance records can be inspected by OEH&S contacting the Building Manager. If sources of airborne contaminants are suspected, OEH&S is capable of conducting the appropriate monitoring and evaluation of results. Non-radiological health hazards may be biological, chemical or physical in nature. Respective examples are blood borne pathogens, formaldehyde and noise. For service, please call OEH&S at 476-1300. Routine Monitoring of Workplace Hazards The use of carcinogenic and other toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde are routinely monitored in the Medical Center. According to Cal-OSHA regulations, whenever it is reasonable to suspect that employees may be exposed to airborne contaminants in excess of permitted levels, the work environment must be monitored to evaluate the extent of employee exposure. This appraisal must be done by a person competent in industrial hygiene such as the Certified Industrial Hygienists on staff at OEH&S. More than 700 chemicals fall under the jurisdiction of Cal-OSHA regulations (T8CCR5155) and some of these substances have mandatory monitoring and reporting requirements. Other chemicals present hazards because the substance is absorbed by the skin and appropriate personal protective equipment, such as the proper type of glove material can be a critical component of employee protection. Effective personal safeguarding measures for employees who work with chemicals can be recommended by the OEH&S staff. For any questions regarding exposure and/or monitoring of chemicals, biological hazards and/or noise, call OEH&S at 476-1300. Radiation Exposure Monitoring for Workers Workers who are authorized to handle radioactive materials in the course of their duties may be required to have their exposure to be monitored. This is accomplished by wearing a radiation dosimeter which is used to record the amount of exposure. The dosimeter, which may be a film badge (GARDRAY) or thermoluminescent detector (TLD Ring) is worn by the worker during work hours and remains at the worksite. The dosimeters are collected and replaced on a monthly cycle and are processed by the dosimetry vendor. The records of occupational exposure are available to the individual worker for review. These records are maintained and reviewed by Environmental Health & Safety in order to observe the trends in exposure and to identify potential situations where work practices may be reviewed in order to reduce exposure if practical to do so. Environmental Health & Safety is the office of record for the dosimetry records of the employees. R.S. Landauer is our current dosimetry vendor. They are an accredited lab for the processing of radiation dosimeters. Some radionuclide users are subject to bioassay requirements if they handle specified amounts of volatile isotopes of Iodine or Tritium, 35S, 32P, 14C. Please refer to the Radiation Safety Manual (RSM) Appendix D Bioassays for information on the bioassay requirements. The exposure to radiation from external and internal routes are summed in the annual exposure report for employees who are subject to bioassay monitoring. Application for Dosimetry An application for dosimetry may be completed and sent by fax to the Dosimetry Coordinator at 476-0581. The signed original should be mailed to Box 0942. If the applicant is not able to complete some of the information with the help of their dosimetry contact, then please call the Dosimetry Coordinator for assistance. Criteria for Monitoring Occupational Exposure The Radiation Safety Manual for the University of California San Francisco
contains the policy for issuance of dosimetry for authorized users
of radionuclides (Section
H. Radiation Monitoring). Workers who operate radiation producing
machines are also monitored for exposure. A declared pregnant worker
is monitored with a dosimeter for fetal dose Lost Badge Reports When a dosimeter is not
returned by a participant in the dosimetry program, a
Lost Badge Report must be completed for the dosimeter by
the participant. This report should be returned to the
Dosimetry Coordinator at Box 0942. Presumptive Overexposures Should a worker receive a dosimetry report with a reading elevated above what has been determined by the Radiation Safety Committee as reasonable for the type of work being performed, or at legal limit of occupational exposure, an investigation shall be conducted to determine the cause of the exposure. A review of work practices may be required in order to assess the route of exposure and to make recommendations that will achieve lower occupational dose where practical. Complaints and Requests for Air Sampling This group will also, when
requested, investigate and/or perform air sampling to
evaluate employees’ exposure to any hazardous
workplace contaminant. This service is available to any
UCSF campus group. The purpose of a laser safety program is to ensure a safe environment at the campus research and clinical sites for the use of laser technology. Laser radiation presents a risk to researchers, workers, medical staff and patients. The safe use of laser radiation requires that the laser devices are properly labeled and hazard areas posted, that the machines operate as designed and specified, that proper personnel safety equipment is available, and that ancillary hazards are addressed. The components of a laser safety program include:
All Hazard Class IIIa, IIIb, and IV lasers should be registered with the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (OEH&S). Any acquisition, transfer or removal of laser devices in these classifications should be made known to the Office. Laser devices that are assembled at the University may receive a hazard class evaluation by contacting OEH&S at 476-5303. Laser devices which require registration include:
Class I devices do not require registration. These include laser printers, imaging devices, and telecommunication devices. Some equipment such as cell sorters, particle counters, have laser cavities that are accessible by the user. These devices (which ordinarily would be considered to be hazard class I) should be registered so that the safety interlocks or protective optical filters may be checked periodically. An inspection can be scheduled by calling OEH&S at 476-5303. Laser safety inspections include a survey of:
Laser Pointers are used frequently for presentations and if used as directed -- do not point the laser into your own or others’ eye(s), should provide little risk to users or audiences. Many of these lasers are now classified as hazard class IIIa due to their power output. The increased power is in part due to the diodes that are used which produce a red light of a wavelength that the eye is not as sensitive to and so a greater intensity of light is required for adequate visibility. These devices do not require registration with OEH&S, but it is advisable to check for the presence of the required label which includes the:
For service, call OEH&S at 476-1300 Microwave performance is regulated by the Code of Federal Regulations 21 Part 1030 (21CFR1030) Performance Standards for Microwave Emitting Products ranging from 890 MHz to 5000 MHz. Power density of the oven surface shall not exceed 5 mW/cm2 at any point 5 cm or more from the external surface of the oven, measured after acquisition by a purchaser. OEH&S has the necessary equipment to determine whether or not an oven is leaking microwaves. Additionally, microwave employee exposure is regulated by Cal-OSHA, Title 8, California Code of Regulations, Section 5085 (T8CCR5085). Employees shall not be exposed to microwave frequencies between 100 MHz and300 GHz exceeding an average maximum power density of 10 mW/cm2 over any possible six minute period. Contact OEH&S or your Campus OEH&S Department Safety Advisor if you have any concerns regarding the safety of a microwave oven. The University of California, San Francisco Office of Environmental Health and Safety (OEH&S) operates a Radiation Producing Machine Program. There are a variety of radiation producing machines that are used on campus for research and both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in the medical centers. The purpose of the program is to ensure the safety of campus staff and researchers when using machines which produce ionizing radiation. The components of the program include:
The Office of Environmental Health and Safety is the office of record for the registration with the State of California for the Radiation Producing Machines. Any acquisition, transfer or removal of radiation producing machines should be made known to OEH&S by contacting the program specialists at 476-5303 or 502-5388. Machines that produce ionizing radiation which require registration include:
Radiation Safety testing of radiation producing machines is performed at acquisition, relocation, after major repair or maintenance, and on an annual basis. When a machine has a significant repair or maintenance performed (change of tube, generator, collimators, etc.) contact OEH&S to schedule the safety testing at 476-5303 or 502-5388. Radiation safety testing of radiation producing machines includes:
Employees at UCSF may be exposed to possible hazards in their workplace that are not directly related to their occupation or work process(s). Contaminants in their immediate work area could originate from external sources, including from outdoors, from neighboring departments, or even internally from the furniture or carpets in their room. The following programs comprise the environmental monitoring program at OEH&S: In order to maintain an environment that minimizes the potential exposure of immunocompromised patients to pathogenic fungi, periodic and case-based air sampling for pathogenic fungi will be conducted by OEH&S in conjunction with the Infection Control Department. Strategies by OEH&S include pre-sampling walk through assessments, Biotest and/or Andersen Impactor sampling and particle counting. Ongoing, weekly Biotest samples are analyzed by the Microbiology Department and results are forwarded to OEH&S. Contracts Management and Building Management should advise OEH&S and Infection Control of upcoming construction or maintenance projects that may adversely affect the patient care environment. All suspect nosocomial infections will be evaluated by Infection Control and OEH&S may conduct appropriate sampling. Employees need a comfortable work environment to perform at maximum efficiency. The presence of odors, dust and/or biological contaminants may seriously effect an employee’s ability to work or even contribute to adverse health symptoms. Complaints may arise from one or more employees at a work site. Symptoms such as headache, eye throat, and nasal irritation, dizziness, lack of energy, drowsiness, allergies and congestion are typical symptoms. One area of considerable concern to
UCSF employees is hazards from sources such as the
environment within the work area (furniture, carpets,
etc.) or activities outside (constructions, traffic,
other departments, etc.). Although this type of exposure
does not generate exposures that exceed any occupational
regulations, Ventilation Systems Evaluation and Monitoring UCSF buildings are equipped with ventilation systems that may include air conditioning. Some of these systems may not provide a sufficient level of comfort to all employees. Complaints may arise from one or more employees at a work site. Symptoms may include headaches, eye, throat, and nose irritation, allergies and congestion, dizziness and fatigue, nausea, and general feelings of ill health. OEH&S Industrial Hygiene staff is prepared to evaluate any work site on numerous levels including the ventilation system, comfort parameters such as temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide as well as sources of airborne contaminants from within and outside the work area. Ventilation systems are evaluated from the source of fresh air into the building, amount of air entering and leaving the workspace and ventilation equipment maintenance. The quality of the fresh air intake can be affected by proximity to exhaust stacks, nearby construction, loading docks, traffic, etc. Air circulation within a workspace can be optimized to increase comfort level by evaluating the ventilation system registers, doors and windows as well as the location and movement of employees and visitors. Maintenance records can be inspected by OEH&S contacting the Building Manager. If sources of airborne contaminants are suspected, OEH&S is capable of conducting the appropriate monitoring and evaluation of results. UCSF uses chemicals and radionuclides for research and health care. Small amounts of chemical and radionuclides are evaporated during usage regardless how carefully one handles chemicals. Vaporized materials exit from building exhaust stacks which are located on the rooftops of the campus’s buildings. Although UCSF meets all emission standards, as a prudent practice, the Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEH&S) conducts periodic rooftop exhaust air monitoring to ensure environmental and worker safety. This program deals with air emission monitoring but does not address other issues such as stationary sources, permitting, and enforcement. From the chemical inventory list for the campus, high users of radioactive materials and chemicals are identified. For chemicals, special attention will be applied to hazardous chemicals or those which could draw attention because of noxious odors. However, general air monitoring is also performed to identify the broad spectrum of chemicals at various locations. For service, call OEH&S at 476-1300. De-Ionized Water Quality Control De-ionized water quality for labs can be monitored regularly by taking aliquots from supply sources and sending them to a certified water quality laboratory for analysis. Collection of samples would be done in accordance with a standardized water collection protocol. This pro-active sampling would monitor the integrity and effectiveness of the de-ionized water that is supplied by Facilities Management to the laboratories and clinics. UCSF must interact with numerous agencies including the City and Country of San Francisco Health Department, San Mateo County Health Department, Bay Area Air Quality Management District, Cal-EPA, Cal-OSHA, California State Department of Health Services et al. If any inquiries are made by these agencies, please contact OEH&S at 476-1300 for assistance. Time and effort expended by UCSF staff will be minimized because OEH&S is well versed with agency requirements and procedures. Community Air Quality and Noise Surveys UCSF responds to community concerns about noise, chemicals, and vibrations that originate from our facilities. OEH&S staff include persons who are Certified Industrial Hygienists (C.I.H.), Certified Safety Professionals (C.S.P.), Registered Environmental Health Sanitarians (R.E.H.S.) and Certified Hazardous Material Managers (C.H.M.M.). Personnel are trained and have the necessary equipment to monitor off site, assess exposure and address community concerns. Emissions from UCSF equipment is covered under the Air Emissions Program in Environmental Monitoring section. Contact OEH&S at 476-1300 for additional information. Respiratory Protection Program The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) makes all reasonable efforts to protect the health and safety of UCSF faculty, staff, and students. This commitment extends to controlling respiratory hazards. The most effective way to control air contaminants which create respiratory hazards is to follow correct work practice and institute prescribed engineering controls. When effective engineering and administrative methods fail to control air contaminants, or additional protection is needed, respirators will be used to ensure that employees and students are not exposed to hazardous levels of air contaminants. UCSF has developed this Respiratory Protection Program to establish uniform policies and procedures concerning the use of respirators by UCSF's employees and students. This document is designed to meet the regulatory requirements (e.g., 8CCR5144) mandating a written respiratory protection program to assist employees, students, and supervisors in understanding their responsibilities, how to obtain a respirator, and how to properly use and care for their respirators. The Office of Environmental Health and Safety (OEH&S) An industrial hygienist or a trained person from the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (OEH&S) is responsible for overall administration of this program. This includes the following:
Supervisors are responsible for administering the program in their work area. This involves the following:
The employee / student has a responsibility to follow the requirements of the written program. This involves:
The Occupational Health Physician is responsible for:
Obtaining A Respirator - Campus Departments Review of Employee's / Student's Request for a Respirator Before an employee / student can obtain a respirator, OEH&S will review the individual's request. The use of a respirator is never the first line of the defense in protecting individuals from contaminants. Therefore, OEH&S will determine if there are other options to protect the employee / student against an airborne contaminant. The other options may include:
If OEH&S determines that a respirator is necessary or prudent, the employee / student must then obtain a respirator medical clearance, receive respirator training, and then be fit tested. Scheduling the Medical Examination The clinicians in Employee Health Services will perform the medical evaluations necessary to determine if the employee / student is fit to wear a respirator. To schedule an appointment, the supervisor needs to contact Employee Health Service at (415)885-7580. The supervisor must indicate that the employee / student is coming in for a respirator clearance and list the contaminants she / he will be working with. This will help determine the time required for the appointment and the correct protocol to administer. The Occupational Health Clinician will inform the employee / student of their medical status. Scheduling the Respirator Training / Fit Testing Approximately two weeks after the medical exam, contact OEH&S at (415)476-1300 to schedule a respirator training / fit testing session (by that time, OEH&S has usually received the individual's clearance form). OEH&S will review the following items with the individual:
Obtaining a Respirator - Medical Center Departments Scheduling the Medical Examination The clinicians in Employee Health Services will perform the medical evaluations necessary to determine if the employee / student is fit to wear a respirator. To schedule an appointment, the supervisor needs to contact Employee Health Service at (415)885-7580. The supervisor must indicate that the employee / student is coming in for a respirator clearance and list the contaminants she / he will be working with. This will help determine the time required for the appointment and the correct protocol to administer. The Occupational Health Clinician will inform the employee / student of their medical status. Scheduling the Respirator Training / Fit Testing N95 Particulate Respirators for Tuberculosis To schedule an appointment for an N95 particulate respirator the employee needs to contact OEH&S at (415)476-1300. Training / Fit testing is conducted every Thursday afternoon at the Parnassus campus, except for the third Thursday of every month when it is conducted at Mt. Zion Hospital. All Other Respirators Approximately two weeks after the medical examination, contact OEH&S at (415) 476-1300 to schedule a respirator training / fit testing session (by that time, OEH&S has usually received the individual's clearance form). OEH&S will review the following items with the individual:
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