{"id":1143,"date":"2023-12-04T10:14:56","date_gmt":"2023-12-04T16:14:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/safety-and-assurances\/?page_id=1143"},"modified":"2026-04-01T10:58:51","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T15:58:51","slug":"occupational-health","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/safety-and-assurances\/occupational-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Occupational Health"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
The web page links listed at the left contain information on occupational health topics that pertain to a broad spectrum of occupations. The web pages are intended to provide you with more information regarding the particular topic, other resources for information, and guidance to develop programs. Please contact University Safety and Assurances<\/a> if you would like more safety information on these topics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asbestos is the name given to a group of minerals that occur naturally in the environment. These fibers are resistant to heat, fire, chemicals and do not conduct electricity. Asbestos was widely used in building materials during 1890s-1980s (Industrial Revolution).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unauthorized persons are prohibited by law from disturbing<\/em> asbestos containing materials (ACM). All asbestos waste generated on campus must be properly contained, labeled and disposed at a licensed landfill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In general, any building constructed before 1980 may have asbestos containing materials in them. Facility Services maintains an inventory of asbestos containing building materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some common Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Studies have shown that individuals exposed to asbestos fibers over a long period of time may develop:<\/p>\n\n\n\n When asbestos is disturbed and fibers are released into the air, those fibers can enter the body through ingestion or inhalation. People most at risk are maintenance and construction workers who work on and disturb asbestos in buildings. Symptoms of asbestos exposure do not appear for 20+ years after the initial exposure. Smoking and asbestos exposure can increase the risk of asbestos-related diseases up to 90%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All asbestos related work (removal, encapsulation, etc.) must be performed by authorized asbestos abatement contractors coordinated by Facility Services.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Department of University Safety and Assurances oversees the Bloodborne Pathogens Program. The Bloodborne Pathogens Program (BBP) is a safety program aimed at protecting all employees who may be exposed to human blood, primary or established human cell lines, or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) while at work. Blood or OPIM can contain disease-causing viruses such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV, as risk known as occupational exposure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Employees and students who may encounter human blood or other potentially infectious materials receive annual training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For non-research staff:<\/em> Bloodborne pathogen training can be found by logging into Canvas<\/a> using your ePanther ID. You can self-enroll in the Bloodborne Pathogens Training<\/a> once you are signed into to Canvas. The course consists of a video presentation and a quiz. Passing the course requires a minimum score of 80% on the quiz. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For Researchers (PIs, students, and other faculty\/ staff specifically working with human cells\/ tissues, blood, or other human body fluids):<\/em> All Bloodborne Pathogens Training is done through the CITI Program<\/a>. Register using your 51ÁÔÆæ account and affiliate with 51ÁÔÆæ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To set up your account:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Note:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 51ÁÔÆæ Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan for Non-Researchers<\/a>: This plan is for the Non-Researchers at 51ÁÔÆæ. Please complete the contact information, print out a copy, and keep in an easily accessible location for employees to review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 51ÁÔÆæ Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan for Researchers<\/a>: This plan is for the Researchers at 51ÁÔÆæ handling human or mammalian blood, cells, or tissues. This includes all PIs handling established cell lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hepatitis B Consent or Declination Form<\/a>: All employees deemed to be \u201cat-risk\u201d of occupational exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials must be offered the Hepatitis B vaccine at the cost to the department\/ division. The Hepatitis B Vaccination Consent or Declination form is the record each department\/ division will maintain for each employee in their respective record-keeping sites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Questions, comments, or concerns regarding food safety and sanitation at 51ÁÔÆæ food service outlets should be addressed to\u202f51ÁÔÆæ Restaurant Operations<\/a>. The Department of University Safety & Assurances does not regulate 51ÁÔÆæ Restaurant Operations\u2019 food service operations. Rather, this is accomplished by the\u202fCity of Milwaukee Health Department- Consumer Environmental Health<\/a>\u202f(agent of DATCP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Applicable Regulations:\u202f<\/em>Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection [DATCP] Food Code (ATCP 75)<\/a>.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the 51ÁÔÆæ\u202fPolicy on Catering for Campus Events<\/a><\/em>\u202f(\u201cSelected Academic and Administrative Policies\u201d, #S-10.25 dated February 5, 1998) all food served on campus at events sponsored by university offices or departments must be stored, prepared, served and disposed of in accordance with health and safety standards established by the City of Milwaukee and the State of Wisconsin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Catering for events held on University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee controlled-property is available through 51ÁÔÆæ Dining Services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Outside caterers may be used if: <\/p>\n\n\n\n The current list of\u202fApproved Caterers<\/a>\u202fis available on the Purchasing Office website. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Lead (Pb) is a metal with a history of use in a variety of applications and products including pipes, paint, and gasoline. The usefulness of lead is due to its low melting point, the metal\u2019s inherent malleability, and its resistance to adverse weather conditions. Lead also has a natural aesthetic beauty and durability. For example, the Architecture and Urban Planning building\u2019s exterior is coated in a shimmering lead coated copper sheeting that reflects gray and blue hues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However visually appealing lead can be, the truth is that lead, and lead compounds, are toxic and can present a severe hazard to those who are overexposed to them. Whether ingested or inhaled, lead is readily absorbed and distributed throughout the body. For these reasons, anyone working with any lead-based products should be aware of the potential negative physiological effects of lead and how to protect oneself from harm when working with lead. If you have questions involving lead, please reach out to the Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene Program Manager by emailing usa-ohihp@uwm.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is important that our employees know that they are safe when working in a confined space, a low oxygen atmosphere, or in the presence of a combustible gas. To protect our employees, 51ÁÔÆæ provides multi-gas monitors designed to alert workers to dangerous atmospheres while working in a variety of environments. It is necessary for employees to utilize a multi-gas monitor when working in atmospheric conditions that may be harmful to them. Multi-gas monitors contain sensors that detect gases such as oxygen (O2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbon monoxide (CO), and carbon dioxide (CO2) in the air and alert the user when these gases reach unsafe atmospheric conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here at 51ÁÔÆæ, we protect our employees working in unsafe atmospheric conditions by providing multi-gas monitors. If your work requires a multi-gas monitor, please reach out to the Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene Program Manager by emailing usa-ohihp@uwm.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 51ÁÔÆæ Hearing Conservation Program<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you find that your hearing is muffled after leaving your work area? Having a hard time communicating at normal conversation levels when working? It may be that you are working in a noisy environment that is causing hearing damaging. Exposure to prolonged loud noise levels can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss and other harmful health effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here at 51ÁÔÆæ, we protect our workers from noise related hearing damage through our Hearing Conservation program by monitoring noise levels, providing employees yearly hearing testing, and educating employees on proper usage of hearing protection. If you have a concern about a noisy work environment, or your hearing health, please reach out to the Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene Program Manager by emailing usa-ohihp@uwm.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Respiratory protection may be necessary when engineering controls cannot control airborne exposures. Information on this web page and web pages listed on the left are intended to provide you with information to better understand respirator use, the respiratory protection program, and the requirements associated with their use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes our work at 51ÁÔÆæ may expose us to respiratory hazards such as gases, vapors, dust, mists, fumes, smoke, sprays, fog, and infectious agents. These various substances have the potential to cause acute physiological harm to our respiratory system when inhaled. Here at 51ÁÔÆæ, we provide our employees protection from respiratory hazards through our Respiratory Protection program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Through the 51ÁÔÆæ Respiratory protection program, employees are trained in the usage of respirators, respirator options, proper donning\/doffing of respirators, and respirator cartridge types. If your work requires respiratory protection, please reach out to the Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene Program Manager by emailing usa-ohihp@uwm.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Using a respirator may place a physiological burden on employees that varies with the type of respirator worn, the job and workplace conditions in which the respirator is used, and the medical status of the employee. In those situations where the use of a respirator is required, you must have a medical evaluation to determine your ability to use a respirator prior to use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 51ÁÔÆæ has a contract with an occupational health contractor to perform these medical evaluations. The Occupational Health physician will review your medical evaluation questionnaire and will provide a written recommendation regarding your ability to use a respirator. The physician must know specific parameters of respirator use, such as the length of time that a person will use the respirator, the frequency of use, and any additional stresses that may be experienced during use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each person covered by this program will complete an OSHA Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire<\/a> (Mandatory; RMEQ; Survey). <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Occupational Health physician will review the completed questionnaire and make a determination as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Occupational Health physician will maintain the RMEQ<\/a> as a medical record subject to confidentiality protocols.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While the physician will retain the medical record, a copy of the physician\u2019s External Occupational Health Recommendation for Respirator Wear certification will be sent to US&A. US&A will maintain these records for the statutory required period of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Additional medical evaluations are required under certain circumstances, e.g.:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Any charges for the medical evaluation or medical testing will be the responsibility of the employee\u2019s department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n UW-Milwaukee Respiratory Protection Program (PDF)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n This program complies with the respirator-related provision of OSHA\u2019s standard 29 CFR 1910.134.<\/p>\n\n\n\n NOTE: For TB: 29 CFR 1910.139 \u201cRespirator protection for M. tuberculosis\u201d<\/em>, will continue to apply to respirator use for protection against TB.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Required Information for Voluntary Use Sign-off form (Appendix D)<\/a> (for printing and supervisor documentation)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Employers who allow their employees to wear respirators on a voluntary basis when not required by OSHA or the employer must implement limited provisions of a respiratory protection program. When a filtering face piece respirator is all that is used, the employee must be provided a copy of Appendix D.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n An employer may provide respirators at the request of employees or permit employees to use their own respirators, if the employer determines that such respirator use will not in itself create a hazard. If the employer determines that any voluntary respirator use is permissible, the employer shall provide the respirator users with the information contained in Appendix D to this section (\u201cInformation for Employees Using Respirators When Not Required Under the Standard\u201d); and<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, the employer must establish and implement those elements of a written respiratory protection program necessary to ensure that any employee using a respirator voluntarily is medically able to use that respirator, and that the respirator is cleaned, stored, and maintained so that its use does not present a health hazard to the user. Exception: Employers are not required to include in a written respiratory protection program those employees whose only use of respirators involves the voluntary use of filtering face pieces (dust masks).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Respirators are an effective method of protection against designated hazards when properly selected and worn. Respirator use is encouraged, even when exposures are below the exposure limit, to provide an additional level of comfort and protection for workers. However, if a respirator is used improperly or not kept clean, the respirator itself can become a hazard to the worker. Sometimes workers may wear respirators to avoid exposures to hazards, even if the amount of hazardous substance does not exceed the limits set by OSHA standards. If your employer provides respirators for your voluntary use, of if you provide your own respirator, you need to take certain precautions to be sure that the respirator itself does not present a hazard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You should do the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\nAsbestos<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What is Asbestos?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Why is Asbestos a Hazard?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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How to Avoid Asbestos Exposure:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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What if Asbestos Fibers are Released Accidentally?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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DNR Asbestos Removal and Notification<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Bloodborne Pathogens<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Program<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Training<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Additional Information and Forms<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Food Safety<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
51ÁÔÆæ Dining Services:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Catering:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Temporary Food Stands:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Guidelines and Applicable Regulations:<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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Lead Awareness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Multi-Gas Monitors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Noise and Hearing Conservation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Respiratory<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Respiratory Protection Information<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Medical Evaluations<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Respirator Protection Course<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
OSHA Information<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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OSHA 3110 (Revised 2001)<\/li>\n\n\n\nNIOSH Information<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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UW-Milwaukee Respiratory Protection Program<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Introduction<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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The use of respirators is required where \u201ceffective engineering controls are not feasible or while they are being instituted.\u201dUW-Milwaukee will provide employees with respirators that are \u201capplicable and suitable\u201d for the purpose intended \u201cwhen such equipment is necessary to protect the health of the employee.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
This paragraph contains definitions of important terms used in the regulatory text. \n\n
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For those situations where respirators are required:\n\n
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Employees must clean and disinfect respirators using the procedures described in training or equally effective manufacturer\u2019s procedures at the following intervals:\n\n
Compressed breathing air shall meet the required for Type I-Grade D breathing air as described in ANSI\/CGA Commodity Specification for Air,<\/a> G-7.1 \u2013 1989<\/li>\n\n\n\n\n
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UW-Milwaukee will conduct evaluations of the workplace as necessary to ensure proper implementation of the program and consult with employees to ensure proper use.<\/li>\n\n\n\n\n
Required Information for Voluntary Use of Respirators<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
1910.134(c)(2)(i)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
1910.134(c)(2)(ii)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Appendix D to Sec. 1910.134 (Mandatory) Information for Employees Using Respirators When Not Required Under the Standard<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Other Resources:<\/h5>\n\n\n\n