MODULE 7: The Basic Hazards and Protections-Biohazards and Biological Monitoring

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this video transcript, Professor David Verri discusses biohazards and biological monitoring. He explains that biohazards are biological substances that can adversely affect the health of living organisms, specifically humans in the workplace. He categorizes biohazards into five types: bacteria, fungi, viruses, toxins, and macromolecules. He provides examples of each and mentions the risks for workers in various industries. <br /><br />Verri then explains the hierarchy of controls for biohazards, which includes elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE). He emphasizes the importance of using the most effective control methods to protect workers from biohazards.<br /><br />Next, he discusses biological monitoring as a form of occupational exposure assessment. He explains that biological monitoring measures the actual dose of a substance in a worker's body through samples such as blood, urine, or breath. He describes the benefits and drawbacks of this method, including its invasive nature and the need for quality assurance.<br /><br />Verri gives two case studies to illustrate the application of biohazard control and biological monitoring. The first study focuses on workers in a meatpacking plant who were exposed to rubella. The second study examines workers in a battery manufacturing plant who were exposed to lead. In both cases, interventions were implemented to protect workers and reduce their exposure.<br /><br />Overall, Verri highlights the importance of identifying, controlling, and monitoring biohazards in the workplace to ensure the health and safety of workers. He emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach that includes a combination of control methods and regular monitoring to prevent adverse health effects.

Keywords

biohazards

biological monitoring

health

workplace

control methods

risks

occupational exposure assessment

case studies

interventions