3040 – 17 – What is a Fluid Management Occupational Safety and Health Program?

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NIOSH guidelines state that employers make a fluid management occupational safety and health program for the safety of employees. Four of these areas include:
• Safety and health training
• Worksite analysis
• Hazard prevention and control
• Medical monitoring of exposed workers.

Safety and health training trains employees to perceive hazards or unsafe conditions, what chemicals are hazardous, and all the health risks involved. Safety and health training provides SDS and safety sheets on materials and trains employees to stay away from MWF exposure.

Worksite analysis gets regular monitoring of skin and inhalation exposure. It determines engineering controls, work practices, and personal protective equipment. It needs scheduled sampling or other measures of employee exposure to MWFs safeguard employees from exceeding the PEL.

Hazard prevention control starts off with engineering controls to reduce hazards as much as possible. It directs proper fluid maintenance and suitable PPE for the MWFs.

Medical monitoring of workers who have been exposed from time to time is needed. A qualified physician performs health screening of exposed workers. Even if those exposed are below the PEL, they develop symptoms of MWF exposure, so they should be treated early and provisions need to be made to reduce exposure.
Should your company have a fluid management occupational safety and health program, you may be required to participate at various stages. These activities are designed to reduce exposure and increase safety in the workplace.