What action should be taken if a latex allergy is suspected in an employee?

When a latex allergy is suspected in an employee, removing all latex products from their working area is crucial. This action helps to eliminate exposure to latex, which is essential for preventing allergic reactions that can range from mild irritation to severe anaphylaxis. Latex proteins can linger in the environment, and even small amounts can trigger symptoms in sensitive individuals. By ensuring that the environment is free from latex products, the likelihood of an allergic reaction decreases significantly.

While consulting a healthcare professional is important for diagnosis and management, simply consulting without taking immediate protective measures does not address the potential risk. Changing work assignments may also be a valid option, but it is often more effective to first eliminate the allergen from the immediate environment. Ignoring symptoms is never appropriate in the case of an allergy, as this can lead to worsening conditions that might require emergency intervention. Thus, removing latex products is the most direct and proactive step to safeguard the health of the employee.