Occupational Health Exposure Groups and Activities Report
Employees who have work related health hazards may be eligible for occupational health services provided through staff wellness. The Occupational Health Activity reports organize employees who are enrolled in relevant “exposure groups” and displays their status of completion of activities associated with their respective exposure group. See “Exposure group and associated activities” to see relevant groups and activities.
Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulation and Code stipulates that employees and supervisors have a legal responsibility to identify and control workplace hazards. UCalgary has a hazard assessment and control process to assist employees and supervisors with assessing workplace hazards. Many of the health hazards associated with work can help to be controlled, through receiving occupational health services offered by Staff Wellness. Staff Wellness supports supervisors and employees by providing these reports which show a list of employees, enrollment, and completion status.
In a compliance report, the following status may be assigned to an employee:
“Complete” – Employee has either completed all the required/recommended activities of the exposure group; or has submitted the risk acknowledgment form (applicable to immunizations only, provided by Staff Wellness) and declined the recommended activity.
“In Progress / Deferred / No Contact Required” – Employee has contacted Staff Wellness and is in the process of completing the outstanding activities of their exposure group.
“Activities Due/Near Due” – Employee has one or more outstanding activities and should contact Staff Wellness ohn@ucalgary.ca to arrange to complete same activities; or decline recommended activities through completion of risk acknowledgement form (applicable to immunizations only).
Occupational Health Program Details:
Occupational Health Programs can be viewed at:
https://www.ucalgary.ca/hr/wellness/occupational-health
In addition to the posted programs, CL3 lab and pathogen or other hazard specific medical surveillance and post-exposure planning may also be available.
Exposure Groups and Associated Activities
The following table shows current exposure groups and associated activities for UCalgary employees.
|
Exposure group name |
Activities |
Schedule |
Who’s Included? |
|
Audiometric Testing |
Hearing test |
1-2 Years |
Noise exposed individuals |
|
CL3 Lab Medical |
Health assessment |
Baseline |
Individuals working in a containment level 3 laboratory. |
|
TB skin test |
Baseline |
Individuals working in a containment level 3 laboratory. |
|
|
Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis
|
Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis Immunization |
Primary (3 dose) series – once |
Individuals working with Bordetella pertussis |
|
Booster dose every 10 years |
Individuals working with Bordetella pertussis |
||
|
Human Blood Body Fluid |
Hepatitis B Immunization |
Primary (3 dose) series once; booster dose(s) if protective antibody threshold not reached |
Individuals working with unscreened human cells, tissues, blood, and other body fluids (excluding urine, sweat, or saliva). |
|
Hepatitis B antibody blood test |
Once following primary vaccination series or booster |
Individuals working with unscreened human cells, tissues, blood, and other body fluids (excluding urine, sweat, or saliva). |
|
|
Hepatitis A Research |
Hepatitis A immunization |
Primary (2 dose) series once |
Individuals who work with Hepatitis A virus or those with increased exposure risk to human stool |
|
HIV Research |
Hepatitis B immunization
|
Primary (3 dose) series once; booster dose(s) if protective antibody threshold not reached |
Individuals working with HIV or individuals working with blood samples that are high risk for bloodborne pathogens (HIV, Hepatitis B, C)
|
|
Hepatitis B antibody blood test
|
Once following primary vaccination series or booster |
Individuals working with HIV or individuals working with blood samples that are high risk for bloodborne pathogens (HIV, Hepatitis B, C) |
|
|
Hepatitis C antibody blood test
|
Annually |
Individuals working with HIV or individuals working with blood samples that are high risk for bloodborne pathogens (HIV, Hepatitis B, C) |
|
|
HIV antibody blood test |
Annually |
Individuals working with HIV or individuals working with blood samples that are high risk for bloodborne pathogens (HIV, Hepatitis B, C) |
|
|
Health Care Worker Immunization |
Covid-19 immunization |
Primary (2 dose) series once |
Health care workers, including individuals working with patients, or in patient care settings. Some immunizations and testing may be excluded for non-direct patient care positions |
|
Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (dTap) series |
Primary (3 dose) series once and booster dose every 10 years |
Health care workers, including individuals working with patients, or in patient care settings. Some immunizations and testing may be excluded for non-direct patient care positions |
|
|
Polio - risk dependent
|
Primary (3 dose) series and adult booster |
Health care workers, including individuals working with patients, or in patient care settings. |
|
|
Measles, Mumps, Rubella |
Primary (2 dose) series once |
Health care workers, including individuals working with patients, or in patient care settings. Some immunizations and testing may be excluded for non-direct patient care positions |
|
|
Hepatitis B immunization and antibody blood test |
Primary (3 dose) series, booster dose(s) if protective antibody threshold not met |
Health care workers, including individuals working with patients, or in patient care settings. |
|
|
Varicella immunization OR antibody blood test |
Primary (2 dose) series once OR antibody blood test |
Health care workers, including individuals working with patients, or in patient care settings. Some immunizations and testing may be excluded for non-direct patient care positions |
|
|
Tuberculosis skin test
|
Baseline test |
Health care workers, including individuals working with patients, or in patient care settings. Some immunizations and testing may be excluded for non-direct patient care positions |
|
|
Leishmania Research |
Leishmania antibody |
Baseline test |
Individuals working with Leishmania spp. though use of sharps (e.g., needles) or other vector (i.e., sandflies) |
|
Neisseria Meningitidis Research |
Meningococcal B immunization
|
Primary (2 dose) series once
|
Individuals who work with Neisseria Meningitidis |
|
Men A, C, Y, W-135 immunization |
Every 5 years if actively exposed |
Individuals who work with Neisseria Meningitidis |
|
|
Non-Human Primate |
Hepatitis A immunization
|
Primary (2 does) series once
|
Individuals working with non-human primates or their body fluids or tissues |
|
Tetanus immunization |
Primary (3 dose) series once and booster every 10 years |
Individuals working with non-human primates or their body fluids or tissues |
|
|
Occupational Health Consultation |
Occupational health assessment with Occupational Health Nurse/Physician |
When hired or with significant job changes |
Individuals with occupational health risks. *This is a new exposure group so may not include people from other exposure groups who were previously assessed |
|
Rabies – High risk |
Rabies immunization
|
Primary (3 does) series once, and booster if protective antibody threshold for protection is not met |
Individuals with increased risk (greater than other animal workers) for rabies exposure. Such as individuals working directly with bats |
|
Rabies antibody blood test |
Annually |
Individuals with increased risk (greater than other animal workers) for rabies exposure. Such as individuals working directly with bats |
|
|
Respiratory Protection – Health Surveillance |
Physical exam
|
Baseline physical exam then subjective health history every two years |
Individuals who wear respirators to work in environments that are immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) |
|
Pulmonary function testing |
Baseline |
Individuals who wear respirators to work in environments that are immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) |
|
|
Respiratory Protection – Fit Testing |
Respirator fit test |
Every two years |
Individuals who require respiratory protection |
|
SARS-CoV-2 |
Covid-19 immunization |
Primary (2-dose) series once |
Individuals working with SARS-CoV-2 |
|
Streptococcus Pneumoniae |
Pneumococcal 13 and 23 immunization |
One dose |
Individuals working with streptococcus pneumoniae |
|
Salmonella Typhi |
Typhoid immunization |
One dose every three years |
Individuals working with Salmonella Typhi, or those with increased exposure risk to human stool |
|
Tetanus |
Tetanus immunization |
Primary (3-dose) series and booster dose every 10 years |
Individuals working with animals, sharps, or environments with dirt/soil |
|
Tuberculosis |
TB skin test |
Baseline and annual testing may be indicated based on risk |
Individuals working with mycobacterium tuberculosis or mycobacterium bovis; or if performing high risk activities on animals that may carry mycobacterium bovis |
|
Toxoplasma |
Toxoplasma serology |
Baseline testing |
Individuals working with toxoplasma |
|
Varicella |
Varicella immunization |
Varicella primary (2 does) series OR antibody blood test |
Individuals working with varicella virus |
|
Veterinary Worker Immunization |
Rabies immunization
|
Primary (3 dose) series once, and booster if protective antibody threshold not met |
Veterinarian or animal workers. Individuals who work with animals with unknown health status or animals not held by the university for more than 10 days. |
|
Rabies antibody titre |
Every two years |
Veterinarian or animal workers. Individuals who work with animals with unknown health status or animals not held by the university for more than 10 days. |
|
|
Tetanus immunization |
Primary (3-dose) series and booster dose every 10 years |
Veterinarian or animal workers. Individuals who work with animals with unknown health status or animals not held by the university for more than 10 days. |
How are exposure groups and activities determined?
Hazard Assessments – If health hazards are identified when a worksite hazard assessment is completed, an exposure group may be established based on the identified hazard and specific occupational health activities as necessary controls.
UCalgary Hazard Identification, Assessment, and Control
Biosafety Permits – Specific hazards listed on biosafety permits may lead to establishing exposure groups.
Legislation – Certain work activities have control measures described in relevant acts, regulations, and codes. Exposure groups may be established to meet the legislated controls.
Occupational Health and Safety Code
-
Part 16, Sec 223 (Audiometric testing)
-
Part 18, Sec 245 (Respiratory protective equipment)
-
Part 35, Sec 530 (Post exposure management)
Standards – Authorities on health or safety may have developed standards to guide activities related to exposure risks. These in turn are applied to the relevant UCalgary exposure groups.
-
Sections 4.1.7; 4.1.9
-
Z94.4-11 Selection, use, and care of respirators
AHS Immunization Program Standards Manual
Best practices – Industry groups have developed commonly accepted practices for controlling workplace hazards. In the absence of legislative requirements or standards, the best practices may be utilized when developing exposure groups.
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Resources
Other literature and subject matter experts – In the absence of the aforementioned resources, other evidence may be utilized to guide exposure group development.
- Occupational Health Physician
- Occupational Health Nurse
- Medical Officer of Health
- Infectious Diseases Physician
Services provided by Staff Wellness are free. If there are vaccinations or testing that are not provincially funded, the department may be billed at cost.
We have locations at both Main and Foothills Campus.
Group bookings at a worksite are available on request.
For questions, concerns or more information about these exposure groups and activities contact Staff Wellness.