Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 002 Hazard: CUTS

NYSLL Article 2, Section 27-a.3.a(1): The employer did not furnish employees employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious harm to employees and which will provide reasonable and adequate protection to the lives, safety or health of its employees. In applying this paragraph, fundamental distinctions between private and public employment have been recognized. a) Saugerties Town Highway Department - Employees assigned to pick up road killed animals were exposed to the hazard of being infected with rabies virus through direct contact with saliva of potentially rabid animals (such as raccoon or skunk) being introduced into open cuts or wounds in the skin via mucous membranes. Reasonable and adequate abatement methods for reducing this hazard, among others, are: (1) Training. A comprehensive training program including proper handling practices, personal protective equipment, the etiology and modes of transmission of the disease, decontamination and avoidance of animal/ saliva contact shall be implemented. NOTE : Training shall be provided to all workers who are assigned tasks where there is occupational exposure to rabies. 1. Highway Department employees were potentially exposed to rabies while picking up road killed animals. Employees could contract rabies if saliva from an infected animal enters a cut in the skin. 2. Rabies exposure is a recognized hazard, as evidenced by NYSDOH research and prevention programs, industry recognition, and common sense recognition. 3. Rabies could cause serious physical harm or death. 4. Feasible and useful abatement method is to provide training to the employees assigned to pick up road kill.