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Latex Allergy Checklist

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The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health says that latex allergy can be prevented only if employers adopt policies to protect workers from undue latex exposures.

The checklist below outlines steps employers can take to protect workers:

Yes	No	Are workers provided with nonlatex gloves to use when there is little potential for contact with infectious materials (for example: when handling food or doing routine house cleaning)?
Yes	No	Are reduced protein, powder-free gloves chosen when there is a need to provide workers with appropriate barrier protection when handling infectious materials?
Yes	No	Do workers use good housekeeping practices to remove latex-containing dust from the workplace by identifying areas contaminated with latex dust for frequent cleaning (upholstery, carpets, and ventilation ducts) and making sure that workers change ventilation filters and vacuum bags frequently in latex-contaminated areas?
Yes	No	Are workers provided with educational programs and training materials about latex allergy?
Yes	No	Are high-risk workers periodically screened for latex allergy symptoms?
Yes	No	Are current prevention strategies evaluated when a worker is diagnosed with latex allergy?
Yes	No	Are workers advised to wash hands with mild soap after removing latex gloves?
Yes	No	Are workers advised not to use oil-based hand creams or lotions-unless they have been shown to reduce latex-related problems-when wearing latex gloves?