There's a good historical precedent, X-rays/CAT scans. The operators
protect themselves because there is risk to the procedure but they
get no benefit at all (besides pay and a dosimeter) and because the
more exposures they get compared to patients means they have much
greater risk.

At least you're in the same room as the patient. I've only had one
x-ray where the operator staid with me while wearing a flexible lead
apron (a GI series - ugh!).

>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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