Chemical hazards in health care workers.

A comprehensive occupational health program is essential in health care settings to minimize the risk of occupational injury and illness in chemically exposed workers. Careful exposure assessment is the framework on which such a program is built. Medical surveillance provides an additional check by allowing earlier identification of at-risk workers. Regular analyses of these data are needed to increase knowledge regarding occupational hazards for health care workers. Correlation of adverse health effects detected in medical surveillance with exposure level is a powerful, although underutilized, tool for advancing occupational health. Worker training is the other critical element in an effective occupational health program. Employees are better able to comply with workplace rules designed to protect health and safety if they understand their rationale.