Federal OSHA issues compliance directive to address flu prevention for health care workers

OSHA issued a compliance directive
<http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/Directive_pdf/CPL_02_02-075.pdf>

OSHA issued a compliance directive Nov. 20 to ensure uniform procedures when conducting inspections to identify and minimize or eliminate high to very high risk occupational exposures to the 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus. The directive closely follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's "Interim Guidance on Infection Control Measures for 2009 H1N1 Influenza in Healthcare Settings, Including Protection of Healthcare Personnel.
<http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidelines_infection_control.htm> "

To learn more, read news release Compliance Directive.
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=16749

Enforcement Procedures for High to Very High Occupational Exposure Risk to 2009 H1N1 Influenza. 20 Nov 2009
http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/Directive_pdf/CPL_02_02-075.pdf
Note: Link to compiled list of flu resources/guides:
http://www.ynhhs.org/emergency/pdfs/Flu_References.pdf

ABSTRACT

Purpose: This Instruction establishes agency enforcement policies and provides instructions to ensure uniform procedures when conducting inspections to minimize high to very high occupational exposure risk to the virus identified as 2009 H1N1 influenza of workers whose occupational activities involve contact with patients or contaminated material in a healthcare or clinical laboratory setting.

Scope: This Instruction applies OSHA-wide.

References:

A. OSHA Instruction CPL 02-00-148 Field Operations Manual (FOM), November 9, 2009.

B. OSHA Notice 09-05 (CPL 02) Site-Specific Targeting 2009 (SST-09), July 20, 2009.

C. OSHA Instruction CPL 02-00-120 (CPL 2-0.120) Inspection Procedures for the Respiratory Protection Standard, September 25, 1998.

D. Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Guidance for Healthcare Workers and Healthcare Employers, OSHA Publication 3328, 2007 (reprinted 2009).

E. Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for an Influenza Pandemic, OSHA Publication 3327, 2007 (reprinted 2009).

F. CDC Guidelines, Interim Guidance on Infection Control Measures for 2009 H1N1 Influenza in Healthcare Settings, Including Protection of Healthcare Personnel (October 14, 2009).

Abstract - 1

G. National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Implementation Plan, Homeland Security Council, May 2006

Cancellations: None.

State Impact: Notice of Intent and Equivalency is required. See Section VI.

Action Offices: OSHA National, Regional and Area Offices, State Plan and State Consultation Offices.

Originating Office: Office of Health Enforcement.

Contact:

Directorate of Enforcement Programs

Office of Health Enforcement

200 Constitution Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20210

202-693-2190