What should I do if I am injured or become ill at work?, If the injury or illness is serious, go to the ED for medical care.  Employees should tell their supervisor as soon as possible.  All injuries should , Where can I be fit-tested?, If you are wearing the mask for protection against TB and other airborne pathogens, view our Upcoming Fit Test Sessions page or Call 919-684-5996., How can I be medically cleared to wear a respirator?, If you work in the pharmacy, ED or for Duke Police, or if you are wearing a respirator for protection against airborne pathogens (TB, SARS, etc), you , The on-line training website says I need to take respiratory protection training, but I don’t wear a respirator., If the required respirator training mentions “Airborne Pathogens” in the title, the person should talk to OESO Biological Safety (919-684-8822) about , How do I get rid of my lab’s chemical waste?, OESO's Environmental Programs (EP) provides chemical waste pick-up/disposal service for all labs on the Duke University/Medical Center Campus.  The la, Our lab is planning to generate radioactive waste; how do we dispose of it?, OESO’s Environmental Programs (EP) provides a radioactive waste pick-up/disposal service for all labs on the Duke University/Medical Center Campus.  T, Where can I get chemical/radioactive waste labels?, You can order them through the Waste Pickup Request System.  We will mail them to your lab., What is the new Laboratory Chemical Waste Management Practice, and where can I get a copy?, This Practice defines procedures for generators of chemical wastes, including container labeling and marking, container management and proper laborato, How do I recycle batteries?, To find out more information, click here., How do I dispose of regulated biological waste?, Biological waste (human blood, bacterial and viral cultures, sharps) must be managed appropriately to ensure proper protection of personnel and enviro, How do I properly ship biological materials?, All individuals involved in the process of shipping a biological material through a commercial service (e.g., FedEx) must be trained at least every tw, We’re a new lab – what do we need to do?, Communicate with OESO as soon as possible (prior to arrival if possible) to ensure regulatory compliance. Once notification is received, an OESO repre, My lab is closing (or relocating) – how do I properly shut down my lab?, Assure proper transfer and/or disposal of hazardous materials during a laboratory closeout. These closeout procedures apply both to researchers perman, What is a BioSafety level?, A biosafety level is an assigned containment, which involves a combination of lab practices and techniques, safety equipment and laboratory facilities, I was told that my work must be conducted at a BioSafety Level-2 (BSL-2). What do I have to do?, Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) containment is typically assigned for work involving agents that pose moderate hazards to personnel and the environment.  Su, I just found out that a patient I have been caring for might have tuberculosis (TB) – what should I do?, Notify OESO Biological Safety (919-684-8822) or Employee Occupational Health and Wellness (EOHW - 919-684-3136).  Your name will be added to those who, My unit/clinic does not have an isolation room – how do we handle a known or suspected TB patient?, Place a surgical mask on the patient as soon as TB is suspected.  Isolate the patient in an enclosed room with the surgical mask on, until the patient, What are safer sharps devices, and do we always have to use them?, Safer sharps devices are those needles and sharps used on patients or in laboratories that work with human blood or body fluids and tissues to help re, How do I request an ergonomic evaluation?, Visit the Duke Ergonomics Division website to complete the necessary steps for submitting an online request.Ergonomic services are also available for , Who pays for any of the recommended ergonomic products?, While there are no charges for the services, it is the responsibility of the employee's department to purchase any recommended items., What ergonomic services are provided for employees who are returning to work (with work-related or non-work-related injuries)?, Recommendations which will assist employees with accommodations to allow them to work safely and productively, and avoid re-injury if the injury was w, How do I check on the status of my IACUC protocol?, Contact OESO at  OESOAnimalProtocols@duke.edu, Why do I have to take safety training?, Training requirements are set based on federal, state and Duke regulations and recommendations (i.e., OSHA, EPA, NRC, Joint Commission, CMS, Durham Fi, How is my required training determined?, Assigned exposures are based on your job responsibilities and potential exposures., Is all safety training available online?, Most all safety training is available online.  If a training course is not available on-line and it is listed under your required training, you will s, How am I notified when my training is about to expire?, Email notifications, from safety@mc.duke.edu, go out 30 days and 7 days in advance of a training due date, and 1 day after the training due date has p, How do I get a record of the training I’ve taken?, You can print out your “Training History”, which is a link on the left-hand side of the page once you’ve logged into the OESO training site., How do I log into the online training?, You can access Online training here. You will be prompted to enter your Duke NetID and password in order to log in (if you don’t know your Duke NetID , How can I check someone else’s training records?, Once you have logged in, to the top left of your training requirement screen is a link – “Check Employee Training”.  When you click on this link, you , How do I RUN a training report?, The instructions are posted on-line., How do I READ a training report?, The instructions are posted on-line. , What is an EAP?, Emergency Assembly Point - a department's meeting place outside of the building if they are required to evacuate., How much clearance is required in front of electrical panels?, The clearance needs to be 36" wide, 36" deep, and 78" high; this needs to be clear working space., Can I park in the fire lane for just a minute?, No – you cannot leave a vehicle unattended for any period of time in the fire lane., Can I bring my old space heater from home to use in my work area?, No - Maintenance needs to evaluate the situation.  If the heat cannot be supplied within the appropriate range, Maintenance will supply an approved he, Can I bring in my old toaster oven from home to use in my work area?, No., Can I use an extension cord?, No - Extension cords are only intended to provide temporary power, and may not be used as a substitute for installing a receptacle where it is needed., What should I do if I’m pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant and work with radioactive materials?, Pregnant radiation workers may voluntarily notify Employee Occupational Health and Wellness (EOHW) of their condition. EOHW will arrange for a confide, What should I do if there is a spill of radioactive material in my lab?, See the Radiological Exposures and Spills page for more information., What is the annual whole body dose limit? The limit for skin and extremities? And the limit for a fetus?, For a radiation worker, the occupational dose limits are as follows:5 rem (50 mSv) per calendar year to the whole body15 rem (150 mSv) per calendar ye, What requirements must I meet to be issued a personal radiation dosimeter (“dosimetry badge”)?, We must issue a dosimeter to an employee if they are likely to receive an occupational dose in excess of 10% of the applicable limits.  When someone r, How do I get a dosimetry badge?, Dosimetry badges are ordered from Radiation Safety either by using an on-line form on the OESO-Radiation Safety web site or by calling the Radiation S, How do I get radioactive material from my lab to a colleague at a different university or institution?, Complete the “Radioactive Material Shipment Request” form on the OESO-Radiation Safety web site and send it to us via email at radsafety@dm.duke.edu. 

Ladder Safety FAQs, How do I safely carry items into a manhole or on to a rooftop using a ladder?, Recall – You must maintain three point contact while ascending or descending a ladder. This is impossible to do with items in your hands. Possible wa, Are there places at Duke where changing light bulbs by ladder may be dangerous?, Yes. Anytime working from a ladder places the employee above guardrails where a fall hazard exists – fall protection is required. (At right, lights on, Am I required to wear fall protection equipment while I am working from a portable ladder?, Generally, no. The use of fall protection on a ladder can cause other hazards such as entanglement. Furthermore, all anchorages used for fall protecti, When do I need to have someone hold the base of the ladder while I am ascending, descending, or working from the ladder?, It is necessary to have someone hold the base of the ladder to prevent it from moving whenever you are using an extension or straight ladder that has , Are ladders constructed on a job site legal to make & use?, Yes. There are specific requirements for “job-made” ladders. Ladders not meeting these requirements are unsafe. Contact the Safety Office at 919-684-5, I have a question about ladder safety where I work. What do I do?, Speak with your supervisor about your concern. If you are unable to arrive at a safe solution for your concern, call the Safety Office at 919-684-599