It is the policy of Rensselaer that all incidents involving potential chemical exposures will be investigated immediately. Events or symptoms that might realistically result in an exposure incident may include:

• A chemical spill or reaction that is not contained by an engineering control.
• A chemical splash or direct skin, eye or inhalation contact.
• A laboratory worker realizes symptoms such as tissue irritation, dizziness, running nose, etc., that subside upon leaving the laboratory environment. 
• Two or more laboratory workers in the laboratory work area show similar symptoms.

If a chemical exposure is suspected, contact Public Safety at 518-276-6611 or extension 6611 from a campus phone immediately. Report all incidents to the Division of Human Resources within 24 hours by completing and submitting the incident report form. 

In the event that an exposure in suspected, a consistent evaluation process will be followed. This process will include the following areas of information:

• Existing Engineering controls
• Chemicals involved 
• Alarming systems and indicator levels 
• Estimated exposure time 
• Consistency of systems 
• SDS information 
• Ventilation 
• PPE

Any and all monitoring results, subsequent to an assumed exposure will be provided to the involved individual(s) within fifteen (15) business days of receipt of those results by Rensselaer. Consultation regarding the implications of such results will be provided to the affected individual(s).

If a potential exposure incident is confirmed, medical consultation(s) and examinations (if needed) will be offered to the involved individual(s) at no charge. The results of such consultations, examinations and follow up visits shall be kept completely confidential. As your employer, Rensselaer will be furnished a copy of any results that relate specifically to occupational exposures and/or illnesses.

Depending upon the type of work that you will be involved in at Rensselaer, and the chemicals and concentrations that you may be working with, medical surveillance activities may be required. These activities may include pre-placement examinations, periodic examinations, emergency/exposure examinations and tests and final/exit examinations. Regardless of the type of medical surveillance activities that you are required to be involved in, medical records will always be available to you and be kept strictly confidential. For more information regarding medical surveillance, refer to the Rensselaer Medical Surveillance Program.

Special programs of ongoing medical surveillance are available for laboratory workers planning extended work with certain hazardous substances. Enrollment in these programs can be arranged by contacting the EHS office. There are no charges for these services. At this time medical surveillance programs are available for work with the following hazardous substances and classes of substances:

• Acrylonitrile
• Arsenic
• Asbestos
• Benzene
• Biohazards
• Bloodborne Pathogens
• Ethylene Oxide
• Lead

It is the responsibility of the PI/Laboratory Supervisor to identify laboratory workers in their group who will be engaged in research that may involve hazardous exposures requiring medical surveillance. Laboratory workers may enroll themselves in medical surveillance programs by emailing ehs@rpi.edu.