Reproductive Hazards

1. Much is still unknown about the extent to which reproductive problems are caused by workplace hazards. There are some specific substances that are known from animal or human studies to affect the reproductive system. Both men and women should avoid exposure. However, workplace exposures are a preventable cause of reproductive damage.

2. The goal of employers should be to reduce exposures to the lowest possible levels in order to protect all employees.

3. Engineering controls are the best means for reducing exposure to reproductive toxic substances. Personal protective equipment is unreliable and should only be used for emergency spills.

4. MSDSs are often not current, so check other resources for information. A good resource is the OCAW Alice Hamilton Library.

5. The Supreme Court Johnson Controls decision made it illegal to establish exclusionary placement policies for women workers. As a result, we now have the dilemma that both men and women are exposed to reproductive risks equally and neither are guaranteed protection from this risk.

6. Pregnant workers cannot be discriminated against simply because they are pregnant. Moreover, the Supreme Court has ruled that if pregnancy leads to an inability to perform the job, then the employer must treat the pregnancy disability as it would any other disability.

7. The best solution for a workplace with reproductive hazards is to negotiate with the company for a medical removal protection plan. In this case, anyone planning to have a family, man or woman, may leave the job involving reproductive risk and transfer to one that involves no exposure without any loss in pay or seniority benefits.

8. The best long-term solution for reproductive hazards is to follow the same rule as prevails for cancer hazards - no exposure at all, through engineering controls, work practices, administrative controls, rigorous air monitoring, and medical surveillance.