Particularly Hazardous Substance: Any compound which meets the criteria of select carcinogen, mutagen, reproductive toxin, acutely toxic, and chemicals whose toxic properties are unknown.
Particulate Respirators: Also known as "air-purifying respirators" because they protect by filtering particles out of the air as you breathe. These respirators protect only against particles-not gases or vapors. Since airborne biological agents such as bacteria or viruses are particles, they can be filtered by particulate respirators.
PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit): It is the legal limit set by OSHA/PEOSH that an employee can be exposed to a chemical. The PEL is expressed as an 8-hour time weighted average, a Ceiling Limit, which cannot be exceeded, or a Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL), which cannot be exceeded over a specified (usually 15-20 minute time period). NIOSH or ACGIH limits are recommendations and are not enforced by OSHA/PEOSH. The PELs are expressed in ppm (parts per million) or mg chemical/cubic meter of air (mg/m 3).
Penetrations: Openings that traverse a fire-resistive assembly. Openings for all such penetrations in both walls and floors/ceilings must be sealed so as to prevent unwanted fire spread and spread of smoke/gases.
PEOSH: The Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH): The Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH) Program has the responsibility to implement the Department of Health and Senior Services' (NJDHSS) mandate under the 1984 New Jersey Occupational Safety and Health Act.
PEOSH Is the New Jersey Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health Program. In the State of New Jersey, most, but not all federal OSHA regulations have been adopted so that they apply to public employees.
The PEOSH mandate is to develop and enforce occupational health standards for public employees throughout the State, and to encourage employers and employees in their efforts to improve the working environment.
The PEOSH Act is administered by two departments, they are:
NJDHSS: The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services investigates complaints regarding health hazards in the workplace. To obtain more information call (609) 984-1863, and.
NIDOL: The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development investigates complaints regarding safety hazards in the workplace. In addition, DOL is responsible for administering and enforcing the Act throughout the State. Click here to learn more about NJDLWD PEOSH Program or call (609) 633-3896.
Physically Challenged Occupants: Those individuals whose impaired mobility does not permit them to physically respond or evacuate the building in a safe manner without assistance in the event of any type of emergency, including fire. Any individual, who is able to ambulate without assistance despite limited mobility, is also to be regarded as a PCO from an evacuation safety point of view. At UMDNJ, a PCO may be anyone including patients, visitors, staff, student or a volunteer.
Positive Pressure Seal Check: A user seal check conducted by the respirator wearer to ensure that an adequate seal is achieved each time the respirator is put on. The wearer covers the front of the filtering facepiece with both hands and exhales gently into the facepiece. The face fit is considered satisfactory if a slight positive pressure can be built up inside the facepiece without any evidence of outward leakage of air at the seal.
Possession, Use and Transfer of Select Agents and Toxins Final Rule: (Also known as the Select Agent Rule) This CDC/USDA regulation sets the standard for laboratories using bioterror agents. Laboratories must register with the federal government, must follow strict safety and security protocols, and must be supervised by a Responsible Official (appointed by the University). Violations of the Select Agent Rule are punishable by fines up to $500,000 and imprisonment of up to 5 years.
Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP): Any treatment started immediately after exposure to a disease-causing pathogen in order to prevent the disease from breaking out. With regards to occupational exposures, it may be a course of antiretroviral drugs given to reduce the risk of seroconversion after a high risk exposure (i.e., needlestick injury with contaminated needle, splash of blood/body fluids to mucous membranes).
Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR): A battery-powered, positive pressure air purifying respirator that uses a blower to pass contaminated air through a HEPA filter, which removes the contaminant and supplies purified air to a facepiece.
Proximity Sensor: A sensor able to detect the presence of nearby objects without any physical contact. The proximity sensors used for laboratory ventilation are generally IR detectors that can sense the presence of a person.
Purified Protein Derivative (PPD) Tuberculin: A material used in diagnostic tests for detecting infection with M. tuberculosis. In the United States, PPD solution is approved for administration as an intradermal injection (5 TU per 0.1 mL), a diagnostic aid for LTBI (see TST). In addition, PPD tuberculin was one of the antigens in the first-generation QFT.
Reclamation: Restoration of materials found in the waste stream to a beneficial use which may be for purposes other than the original use.
Recycling: Separating, collecting, processing, marketing and ultimately using a material that would have been thrown away. Recycling is one way of diverting solid waste from landfills.
Regulated Medical Waste: Cultures and stocks, pathological wastes, human blood and blood products, sharps, certain animal waste, isolation wastes, unused sharps as described in NJAC 7:26-3A.
Reproductive Toxin: In the OSHA Laboratory Standard, 29 CFR 1450, reproductive toxins are defined as: "chemicals which affect the reproductive capabilities including chromosomal damage (Mutations) and effects on fetuses (teratogenesis)" Reproductive toxins are considered "particularly hazardous substances" under the Laboratory Standard.In general, (non-regulatory meaning) reproductive toxins are chemicals that affect the reproductive capabilities of males or females including chromosomal damage (mutations) and effects on fetuses (teratogenesis). Material Safety Data Sheets generally employ the following keywords to designate a reproductive toxin: congenital malformation, fetal toxicity, fetal death, fatal effects to the newborn, neoplastic, teratogenic, mutagenic, maternal effects, paternal effects, fertility and infertility.
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA): The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) gives EPA the authority to control hazardous (chemical) waste from the "cradle-to-grave," including the generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal and provides a framework for management of non-hazardous (chemical) waste.
Respirator: A device designed to protect the wearer from inhalation of harmful atmospheres.
Respiratory Hygiene and Cough Etiquette: Infection control measures designed by the CDC to contain respiratory secretions. They include: Cover the nose/mouth when coughing or sneezing; Use tissues to contain respiratory secretions and dispose of them in the nearest waste receptacle after use; Perform hand hygiene (e.g., hand washing with non-antimicrobial soap and water, alcohol-based hand rub, or antiseptic handwash) after having contact with respiratory secretions and contaminated objects/materials.
Responsible Investigator: UMDNJ Faculty Member or Clinician with assigned research, teaching or clinical laboratory space.
RWJMS Employee Health Services: Provides TB screening and hepatitis B vaccines for UMDNJ-RWJMS faculty and staff with patient contact. In addition, RWJMS Employee Health Services provides post-exposure prophylaxis and follow-up counseling for bloodborne pathogen exposures, as well as consultations for workplace risks, reproductive hazards (including concerns prior to or during pregnancy), allergies, workplace illnesses, or other workplace exposure matters. They can be reached from 8am to 4 pm at 732-4445-0123. A satellite office is located in the Clinical Research Center, New Brunswick at 732-418-8466.
RWJMS Safety Needle Evaluation Committee: An ad-hoc of the RWJMS Nursing Leadership Committee. The Safety Needle Evaluation Committee is comprised of RWJMS nurse managers, frontline clinical staff, Employee Health Services and the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety Training. The group is facilitated by the UMG Director of Quality and Safety Initiatives.