Development and application of the latex-safe risk assessment framework for workplace environments: Institutional risk mapping and mitigation strategies

BackgroundHealthcare personnel continue to be at risk of exposure to airborne latex proteins despite widespread adoption of powder-free glove alternatives. A standardized risk assessment framework that maps areas with the highest potential for latex allergen exposure is lacking.ObjectivesThis study develops and applies an initial Latex-Safe Risk Assessment framework (LSRA) for institutional latex-risk mapping in a tertiary hospital setting and guides targeted mitigation strategies.MethodsRisk Priority Number (RPN) based on latex allergy severity, likelihood, and detection was used to estimate risk in seven clinical departments. Environmental conditions, product inventory, ventilation systems, and administrative controls were evaluated using a standardized checklist.ResultsThe operating theater was classified as very high risk (RPN 125; 100%). The labor room (RPN 80; 64%), intensive care units, and emergency department (RPN 60 each; 48%) were classified as moderate risk. Ward 3 and Ward 8 (RPN 30 each; 24%) were classified as low risk, whereas the O&G clinic (RPN 15; 12%) was classified as very low risk. Key gaps involved inadequate segregation and substitution of latex products, limited designation of 'latex-safe' zones, and insufficient engineering controls.ConclusionsThe framework facilitated the prioritization of high-risk areas and alignment of interventions with identified exposure pathways.