When you work in a lab it is crucial to keep your occupational health profile current. From a work-related perspective, it’s important to be proactive and implement the organization’s occupational health program to mitigate risks from injury or illness. Many organizations can offer a suite of services pertaining to occupational health, including immunization, respiratory and hearing protection, and ergonomics1.

Immunizations to protect you while working in the lab

The Canadian Immunization Guide is a comprehensive resource that informs health care professionals, including occupational health professionals, of the available vaccines in Canada2. Immunizations are recognized as an effective engineering control for biological hazards, and there are specific recommendations for research and industrial laboratory workers contained in Part 33 of the guide. Obtaining immunizations as part of employee onboarding is an important step in hazard identification and control. Identification begins with determining tasks, hazards and suitable controls. As this involves personal health information, organizations need to consider how best to offer work-related immunizations while protecting employee privacy. It may be possible for employees to decline immunizations if they have been fully informed of the benefits and risks, and make informed decisions with health care professionals. As part of onboarding and re-training, it is important to keep current with post-exposure protocols — whether to guide yourself or a colleague — so that you are confident and comfortable about the immediate steps to take should an incident occur.

Proactively managing immunization status

As of late 2025, Canada no longer holds measles elimination status4. As a result of the rise in incidence of measles cases, there is increased likelihood of exposure to individuals in health care settings. Additionally, there is documented transmission to fully vaccinated health care workers indicating a need to update recommendations5. Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS)6 may need to further adapt to this change and include updated procedures. In health care settings, there may be immunization requirements based on direct interactions with patients. Additional controls may be implemented such as patient isolation and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including gowning and masking, as part of infection control measures.

Reducing exposure to bloodborne pathogens

While working in the lab, there may be routine exposure to bloodborne hazards in patient samples. These can include blood, blood-products and various tissues or body fluids which may contain bloodborne pathogens. As part of the OHSMS, organizations may use the presence/absence of visible blood to determine whether bloodborne pathogens are likely present in samples such as urine, sputum, and more. Implementing routine practice and additional precautions is intended to cover a range of preventive measures to protect employees when handling patient specimens7. A combination of engineering, administrative and PPE controls can be effective in reducing exposure to bloodborne pathogens. As an engineering control, immunization may be the most effective strategy to manage risks related to those hazards. Protection from bloodborne pathogens can include immunization against Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The Public Health Agency of Canada publishes Pathogen Safety Data Sheets8 that are intended for those working with pathogens and toxins and are widely considered to be an excellent resource.