Re: Baseline Eye Exams

["M. Woo" <m-woo@uiuc.edu>]

"Bult, James" wrote:

> It's required for folks working with class 3b and 4 lasers.  See ANSI Z 136.1.
> Whether or not it's being done, I can't say.

This is where I chime in and say, "It's a standard, not a reg."

Seriously, the issue has been batted about briefly here and there is
some question of whether baseline eye exams for long-term employees
would expose the University to more potential for problems than it
solves.  That is, some eye damage from chronic laser exposure may appear
similar to changes brought about by aging.  Therefore, will there be
excess litigation resulting from those claiming laser eye damage where
there may be none?  On the other hand, if the eye exams aren't
performed, an attorney could point to the ANSI standard and claim that
the University was remiss.

I realize that it is a terrible thing to put legal issues before the
health and safety of personnel, but that is the way decisions are often
made.  We may not like it - I certainly don't - but I seem to be up
against the philosophy every time I propose additions to programs (one
of which was medical surveillance for laser operators).

-- 
Melissa Woo, Health Physicist <mailto:m-woo@uiuc.edu>
Div. of Environmental Health & Safety
101 S. Gregory St., MC-225, Urbana, IL 61801
office	217.244-7233 fax 217.244.6594 <www.uiuc.edu/ph/www/m-woo/>
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