[MCOH-EH] sensitivities to scents in the workplace

[Deborah a Sampson]

I am assuming that you have medical documentation of a true allergy to essential oils? Are there sensitivities to other scents? If so, you need to have an allergist confirm the diagnosis and identify accommodations based on the job description to avoid any subsequent legal action as much as possible. 

Scent sensitivity can evolve and extend to other aromatics in facilities and on people. It is very difficult to accommodate in a quasi public environment such as a health care facility. 

I wonder how the employee manages out in public such as at the grocery store ?

It will be difficult to assure that the employee with a true scent sensitivity symptoms that can not be controlled with medication can be reasonably accommodated in a health care environment.

Deb Sampson, PhD, APRN, FAANP

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

From: Cockrum, MD David S
Sent: Thursday, March 28, 2019 4:55 PM
To: MCOH/EH
Subject: Re: [MCOH-EH] sensitivities to scents in the workplace

An accommodation option to consider would be re-assignment to a position that does not interface with patients or customers. It should be much easier to get co-workers to comply with not wearing essential oils, especially in a well-documented case. If the employee is a nurse, something like a UR or record review position might work. If it’s an admin support employee, there should be several options to keep her employed but away from the walk-ins.

David

DAVID​

COCKRUM
, 
MD


Physician
Faith Regional Physician Services
Occupational Health



(402) 844 8300




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, 
Norfolk
, 
NE
 
68701










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From: MCOH-EH [mailto:mcoh-eh-bounces+dcockrum=frhs.org at mylist.net] On Behalf Of PRATER, DEANNA
Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2019 5:08 PM
To: mcoh-eh at mylist.net
Subject: [MCOH-EH] sensitivities to scents in the workplace

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I’m looking for any direction on how to manage a worker who has a sensitivity to essential oils in the workplace.  Our hospital is a scent-free facility, and we put out education to potential patients who we know may be coming into our facility.  Unfortunately in our maternity department, we have a number of patients that come in wearing essential oils, and one of our staff members has a significant reaction to this, resulting in time loss.  Any advice?
deanna.prater at bayareahospital.org  
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