In case of a medical emergency such as a life- or limb-threatening injury, call 911 (or 301-496-4911 for mobile callers on the Bethesda campus).
All work-related injuries and exposures to significant hazards must be reported to OMS to ensure timely medical care and risk management. Injured employees, their supervisor or a co-worker may report an incident to OMS and the Division of Safety. Work-related illnesses should be reported to OMS as soon as they are recognized.
Procedure for work-related injury or exposure
If you sustain an injury or exposure involving significant laboratory hazards such as human or animal blood, body fluids or tissues; infectious or radioactive materials; or hazardous chemicals, follow the steps outlined in steps 1 through 4 in the order shown. If this does not apply, start at step 2 below.
- Stop further exposure by removing yourself from the source of the hazard and administer standard first aid to decontaminate affected body parts.
For skin and mucous membrane exposures, immediately initiate standard first aid:
Contaminated skin and wounds: cleanse for 15 minutes with soap and water using a sponge or gauze pads.
Contaminated eyes and mucous membranes: irrigate for 15 minutes using normal saline or water.
- Hazardous chemicals or radioactive materials: follow established hazard-specific incident response protocols to decontaminate affected body parts.
Notify the OMS clinician on duty* and go to your local
OMS clinic.
- Notify the designated
Safety Specialist and your supervisor if readily available.
You or your supervisor should complete an
Event Report in MyCority. Note: This should not delay appropriate first aid or OMS notification in case of an occupational medical emergency.
Procedure for work-related illnesses
Health conditions that may have been caused by factors in the work environment should be reported to your local OMS clinic during clinic hours. Please call your local
OMS clinic and submit an
Event Report in MyCority.
Services
The OMS clinician on duty will ask for details of the circumstances of the incident or development of the employee's illness, perform a targeted evaluation, including any testing or imaging as indicated, and initiate appropriate treatment. If care beyond OMS capabilities is needed, the treating OMS clinician may refer the employee for outside treatment. OMS also provides guidance on submitting a Workers' Compensation claim, supervisor consultation, and the employee's safe return to work.
In addition to providing medical care, OMS shares responsibility for occupational injury and illness reporting requirements with the Division of Safety who are responsible for meeting OSHA requirements for the NIH. OMS staff work closely with DS to understand workplace safety concerns and collect information to help prevent future injuries at work and decrease the chance of work-related illnesses.
Links and Additional Resources
