Breast pumping

  I am a nurse for a physicians management company. I have a specific
  clinic with a nurse practitioner who performs breast pumping in the
  office that she shares with another person. It was reported to me that
  frequently she spills milk on her desk and that the other employee has
  complained of a bad odor in the room. The nurse has said that she will
  be doing this for at this a year. Are there any OSHA regulations
  regarding breast pumping on the job. My opinion is that this should be
  done in the restroom where she could clean up after herself properly.
  I was told  by an environmental company that this would be a violation
  of the new indoor air policy that is soon to come out. I don't think
  though that this odor would cause any severe hgealth problems. I know
  that this sounds like a silly and trivial matter, but I have some who
  are quite offended by how she handles herself.

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Dear Tessier
I do not believe there are any OSHA regulations regarding breast pumping at the place of employment. The TV news recently talked of a proposed legislation that would give employers a tax break if they were granting employees an one hour break to express breastmilk. Breastmilk is a body fluid but latex gloves are not required for handling. The bathroom is not an appropriate pumping area because in essence this mother is preparing her infant's lunch. A possible solution would be to provide her with a small private area searate from her office with access to a sink to clean up any spills.  As professionals working in a health care environment, I am sure you are aware of the U.S. Surgeon General's Healthy People 2000 Goal of increasing not only initiation rates of breastfeeding but duration as well. This goal is supported bythe recent policy statement regarding breastfeeding and the use of Human Milk. By the way, Employees who are breastfeeding have less absenteeism due to decreased infant illness.I hope you find this information helpful and if you have any more questions please feel free to contact the lactation services at Henry Ford Hospital at 313-556-8363.  
This material is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered a formal medical evaluation. If you have specific questions, please contact your primary physician.
hfhs. rn-mmd
*keywords: breastfeeding, breast pumping, employment