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Injury Prevention Resources for Health Care - Latex Allergies

Musculoskeletal Injuries (MSI) and Ergonomics | Ceiling Lift Resources | Violence | Needlestick Injuries | Infectious Disease | Latex Allergies | Home Care | Cytotoxic Drugs | General Safety

The following links list tools, publications, and other resources to help prevent the most common injuries and illnesses in the health care industry. These resources may not meet all the requirements for health and safety in British Columbia. Please check the Workers Compensation Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, and related materials for specific WorkSafeBC requirements.

Dealing with "Latex Allergies" at Work BK2

"The information in this booklet applies to a wide range of jobs with exposure to rubber products. This booklet explains the health problems that may be caused by using rubber products; the natural rubber latex protein allergy, which may cause severe health problems; and sources of information on "latex allergies."
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (550 KB)
* Available in print from Publications, Videos and Forms Distribution.
Updated: December 2005

Latex Allergy (OHSAH)

Latex poses an occupational hazard which should be minimized or eliminated and the following resources - a booklet and a database - further detail the potential health effects of latex exposure and how to control this workplace hazard.
Source: Occupational Health and Safety Agency for Healthcare (OHSAH) in BC
* http://www.ohsah.bc.ca/?section_copy_id=1733§ion_id=525

Latex Allergy Links

The following organizations have useful information about latex products and allergies.

Source: American Latex Allergy Association, A.L.E.R.T., Inc.
* www.latexallergyresources.org

Source: CCOHS
* http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/diseases/latex.html

Source: National Latex Allergy Network
* http://latexallergylinks.tripod.com

Occupational Latex Allergies (NIOSH)

Latex Allergies: A Prevention Guide
"Latex gloves have proved effective in preventing transmission of many infectious diseases to health care workers. But for some workers, exposures to latex may result in allergic reactions. Reports of such reactions have increased in recent years--especially among health care workers."
Source: NIOSH (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health)
* http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/98-113.html

Preventing Allergic Reactions to Natural Rubber Latex in the Workplace
"Describes six case reports of workers who developed latex allergy. The document also presents NIOSH recommendations for minimizing latex-related health problems in workers while protecting them from infectious materials."
Source: NIOSH (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health)
* http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/latexalt.html

Latex Allergy (OSHA)

"Allergy to latex was first recognized in the late 1970s. Since then, it has become a major heath concern as an increasing number of people in the work place have been affected."
Source: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
* http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/latexallergy/index.html

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