Although not everyone who is exposed to reproductive hazards will develop reproductive health problems, any employee who may be exposed needs to understand the risks and precautions.
If there is any chance of your workers being exposed to these hazards, you need to train them about the dangers and how to avoid them.
First, inform your employees of the health problems that can result from exposure to reproductive hazards:
- Infertility in women and men
- Miscarriage and stillbirths
- Birth defects
- Low birth weight and premature birth
- Developmental disorders such as hyperactivity and learning disabilities
- Childhood cancer
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The link between reproductive hazards and these health problems is not fully understood, so there is no way to predict how a person may be affected by an exposure. Not all exposures lead to reproductive health problems. But potential hazards are known. For example, certain chemicals have been identified as potential reproductive hazards. Train employees to prevent reproductive health problems from hazardous materials by taking these precautions:
- Read and follow the instructions on material safety data sheets (MSDSs) for the chemical substances they use.
- Review warning labels on any hazardous substances they handle and follow instructions.
- Store chemicals in sealed containers when they are not in use, and avoid skin contact when using them.
Radiation is another reproductive hazard affecting both females and males. Train workers who could be exposed to ionizing radiation on the job to take these precautions:
- Follow time and distance rules for radiation procedures.
- Enter X-ray rooms only if specifically assigned.
- Wear lead aprons, gloves, and goggles when there is a risk of exposure.
- Wear thyroid shields and leaded glasses as needed.
- Follow all established procedures for handling and storing radioactive materials.
In addition, pregnant women should avoid any exposure to radiation, including X rays and radioactive materials.
Some viruses, pharmaceuticals, and other substances used in hospitals and other healthcare settings may be a source of reproductive hazards for healthcare workers. If any of these situations apply in your workplace, inform your workers that these viruses include:
- Rubella virus (German measles)
- Varicella-zoster virus (chicken pox)
- Hepatitis B
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- Human parovirus B19
Also, let them know that exposure to the following materials has also been linked to reproductive health problems:
- Antineoplastic drugs (cancer treatment)
- Anesthetic gases
- Ethylene oxide (sterilizing agent)
If time permits, remind employees that lifestyle choices off the job, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, or using illegal drugs, can also affect their reproductive health. Pregnant women should not smoke, drink, or take any drugs (even over-the-counter medications) other than those prescribed by their doctor.
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Train your workers in these basic safe work practices to protect reproductive health:
- Use engineering controls and safe work practices and procedures.
- Follow established procedures to prevent exposures to reproductive hazards.
- Pay attention to signs around the workplace that warn of reproductive hazards and follow all instructions
- Participate in safety and health education, training, and medical surveillance programs.
- Always wear assigned personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent exposures to reproductive hazards.
- To prevent exposures, wash hands thoroughly:
—After contact with any chemicals or other known reproductive hazards that can enter the body through the skin
—After removing gloves or other PPE that might be contaminated
—Before eating, drinking, smoking, etc. - Ask your supervisor if you have questions about health risks or proper precautions.
- Talk to your supervisor if you are, or expect to become, pregnant, to review your work assignments. Reassignment or work restrictions may be necessary in some cases where risks from reproductive hazards are high.
- Talk to your healthcare provider for specific information about your reproductive health.
Why It Matters
- A number of OSHA standards apply to workplace reproductive hazards.
- In general, OSHA requires employers to warn employees about reproductive hazards, provide appropriate PPE, and train them to follow safe work practices to prevent exposures.
OSHA also requires employers to inform employees about medical surveillance programs and the results of any tests on employees conducted under these programs.