Evaluating biologic factor at workplaces: questions and suggestions

Introduction. Special evaluation of work conditions sometimes fails in identifying biologic factor as an occupational hazard in work with infected and (or) potentially infected materials (including field, clinical, autopsy samples) suspicious for presence of pathogenic biologic agents, as well as considering allergic component in biologic factor’s influence on workers exposed.

Objective is to improve methods of identification and evaluation of biologic factor, criteria and classification of work conditions for workers exposed to pathogenic biologic agents, for more objective assessment of their work conditions.

Materials and methods. Based on Rospotrebnadzor data, the authors analyzed occupational morbidity caused by exposure to biologic factors over 2005–2017. Analysis also covered work conditions of workers exposed to biologic factors, according to results of workplace certification by work conditions, performed by Testing Laboratory FGBNU «NII MT» over 2001–2013 at 1024 workplaces of medical and non-medical personnel in medical institutions of Moscow, 26 workplaces of FGBNU «N.F. Gamaleya National Research Institute of epidemiology and microbiology» with RF Health Ministry, 32 workplaces in purification facilities MGUP «Promotkhody». Analysis of the work conditions over 2014–2017 was based on results of special evaluation of work conditions at 326 workplaces (data by FGBNU «NII MT»).

Results and discussion. The authors scientifically justified ways to improve quality and adequacy of work conditions evaluation by biologic factor at workplaces of individuals exposed to biologic pathogens. To objectify the work conditions evaluation by biologic factor, the authors suggested a «Classification of work conditions under exposure to biologic factor» that helped to identify and evaluate health risks with consideration of all biologic objects at the workplaces.

Conclusion. Suggested «Classification of work conditions under exposure to biologic factor» helps to identify and evaluate biologic factor as an occupational hazard at all workplaces with pathogenic microbes, as well as analyze occupational health risks for workers and justify measures to minimize those risks.

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