I'm having a similar problem, but in a different industry.  I have moved 
into healthcare, specifically in an Oncology Clinic and Infusion center. 
 We have a number of new NIOSH recommendations and OSHA standards coming 
regarding chemotherapy.  (I don't know how familiar you are with chemo 
and all the new monoclonal antibodies, etc that are coming out, but I'd 
take a sulfuric acid splash over a large taxane exposure anyday.) We 
need to implement a lot of new PPE aside from the gloves the nurses have 
always worn, and you wouldn't believe the complaints!  They have now 
convinced the clinic manager and the VP over our clinic that it will be 
detrimental to patient care because we're going to scare them if the 
nurses come at them dressed in the full required PPE.  I admit that I 
would probably be a little scared too if someone came at me dressed head 
to toe in a gown, gloves and goggles and told me it was to protect 
themselves from the stuff they were going to put in my body! However we 
can address the issue with some education.  We are required now to tell 
patients and their families that their urine, BM, and any other body 
secretions are toxic for at least 48hrs after treatment, and the nurses 
are refusing to tell them that also because they "don't want to scare 
them more than they already are over being diagnosed with cancer".  I'm 
about ready to "invite" OSHA over for a visit and see how quickly they 
all change their minds on this little PPE issue.

Amy L. Bullis
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Chris Wysong 
  To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU 
  Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2004 9:21 AM
  Subject: [DCHAS-L] Fw: [DCHAS-L] Safety Rules

  "Help",

  I am a new safety in my college of science and am running into 
problems with the dean.  He does not want to follow standard laboratory 
practices regarding clothing (short tops, long pants, shoes) because it 
might scare someone.  His logic behind the pants is they could trap 
corrosives and cause more damage than if the student was wearing shorts. 
 Does anyone have any suggestions on how to deal with this issue or 
knows about an injury resulting from wearing pants as opposed to shorts?

  I am trying to convince him, using the ACS guide to laboratory safety 
but to no avail.  If anyone could offer suggestions it would be 
appreciated.

  Thanks
  Chris Wysong

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