Occupational Health

Specifically, the OHP addresses exposure to the following:

1. Biohazardous materials handled in IBC permitted research, teaching or diagnostic laboratories at BSL-2 or higher including:

• Human pathogens or zoonotic pathogens of animals;
• Materials potentially containing human pathogens (e.g. human or non-human primate blood, body fluids, unfixed tissues, or cell lines- including commercially available lines);
• Recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules and cells, organisms, and viruses containing such molecules; and
• Biological Select Agents and Toxins.

2. Animals, or their tissues, body fluids, or wastes.

The extent of participation in the OHP is based on a risk assessment that takes into account type of exposure, extent and frequency of exposure, and a review of health history by an Occupational Health Professional.

Please email OHP@tamucc.edu if you have questions about your job duties and enrollment in the Occupational Health Program.

Enrollments will be reviewed by EHS on Wednesdays and Thursdays only.

Once reviewed, the request will then be submitted to the provider for recommendations.

The provider will review your information and make a recommendation for medical services if needed (e.g. hepatitis B series, etc.).

It is the individual’s responsibility to comply with the recommendations of the OHP provider.

TAMU Corpus Christi  Occupational Health Enrollment (jotform.com) - To be completed by the employee.

An Exposure Control Plan is a written action plan that identifies occupational risks and specifies precautionary control measures needed to manage and minimize potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens.  A copy of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Exposure Control Plan is available here: Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan.

If a bloodborne pathogens exposure incident should occur, report the incident immediately to your supervisor and the safety office.  In addition, complete and submit an employee incident reporting form at: Origami Incident Reporting.

Reporting a Contaminated Sharps Injury

Click link above for more information.

The department where the injury happened should report the incident, by completing  the DSHS form and then forwards it to the DSHS Healthcare Safety Unit at Fax 512-776-7616 or email to sharps.injury@dshs.texas.gov. 

• The incident should also be reported to EHS, and an incident report submitted through Origami is also required.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a serious bloodborne pathogen that attacks the liver and can cause potentially life-threatening disease in humans.  HBV is transmitted through exposure to blood or other body fluids. 

• All employees who have been identified as having occupational exposure to blood or OPIM are offered the Hepatitis B vaccine by the employer at no cost to the employee.
• The vaccination program is administered under the supervision of a licensed physician or licensed healthcare professional.
• The Hepatitis B vaccine is offered after bloodborne pathogen training and within 10 working days of their initial assignment to work unless the employee has previously received the complete Hepatitis B vaccine series, antibody testing has revealed that the employee is immune, or that the vaccine is contraindicated for medical reasons.
• TAMU-CC employees may receive the Hepatitis B vaccine at a healthcare facility contracted by the employer or by a physician of their choice. Employees will be responsible for any copay should they choose to visit their personal physician.
• Employees who decline the Hepatitis B vaccine must sign a declination form. An example consent & declination form is available as Appendix B. Employees who later elect to receive the Hepatitis B vaccine may then have the vaccine provided at no cost.
• Any necessary booster doses of the Hepatitis B vaccine are provided by the employer at no cost to the employee.

The Respiratory Protection Program integrates exposure assessment, risk mitigation and medical surveillance services to protect the occupational health and safety of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi employees and to comply with federal and state regulations.

People who use respiratory protection must be physically capable of using and wearing the equipment. In some cases, a physician must determine if an employee is healthy enough to use a respirator. In addition, all people required to wear respirators must be formally trained and instructed in proper equipment usage. 

Choosing the right respirator for the job is equally important to knowing how to use it. There are many types of respirators, and each type protects against different hazards. 

IMPORTANT: Respirators are available in different sizes. Always fit test a respirator to select the correct size.

Training for all employees is conducted prior to initial assignment to tasks where occupational exposure may occur. BBP Exposure Training shall be assigned to applicable new employees in TrainTraq and can also be found by searching Bloodborne Pathogens course #2111525. 

Annual refresher training is provided within one year of the employee’s previous training. The employee’s supervisor will ensure that an employee completes the BBP refresher in TrainTraq.

Request an Ergonomic Evaluation

 

 

OHP

Head		Head, back and ears, shoulders and hip aligned.
Neck		Never hold phone between ear and shoulder. Use headphones or shoulder rest if necessary.
Eyes		Should be 18” to 24” away from and level with the top 1/3 of your screen.
Elbows		Should be at your sides at a slightly open angle.
Chair		Should support your lower back. Spine should maintain “S” curve.
Keyboard		Place at elbow height. Keep wrists straight or slightly bent.
Mouse		Keep next to and at the same height as keyboard.
Chair height		Should allow you to bend knees at a right angle, with feet flat on the ground or on a food rest.

Exercises are recommended for healthy adults and should not lead to any pain or discomfort.

Frequent stretching keeps a proper blood and nutrient supply to the working muscles and tissues throughout the workday and prevents fatigue and discomfort and reduces the risk of MSD injuries while reducing stress and increasing energy.

Benefits of regular stretching:

• Increases range of motion, reduces sprain-strain injury risks, and helps control postural fatigue.
• Reduces internal friction and stiffness involving muscles, tendons, joints, and ligaments.
• Reduces soreness and fatigue from long-term sitting, driving, bending, or reaching
• Improves comfort and decreases fatigue related to physical exertion, lifting, using tools and so on.
• Improves posture and can decrease back pain and injury.

 For a list of exercises, click here.

All persons listed on the IBC and/or IACUC protocol are required to enroll in the OHP.
Enrollment is at no cost to the enrollee.

IBC or IACUC cannot release the approval letter for the protocol until all listed personnel are verified as enrolled.

You must enroll annually. OHP enrollment is verified by the IBC or IACUC at continuing review. If all personnel are not up-to-date in OHP enrollment, the continuing review approval can be delayed.