OSHA issues H1N1 compliance directive

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in November issued guidance to field staff conducting inspections to minimize high-risk occupational exposures to the 2009 H1N1 flu virus in health care and other settings. OSHA says its inspectors will ensure that employers implement a hierarchy of controls and encourage vaccination and other practices recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "The CDC recommends the use of respiratory protection that is at least as protective as a fit-tested disposable N95 respirator for personnel in close contact (within six feet) with patients who have suspected or confirmed 2009 H1N1 influenza," OSHA says. "Where respirators are not available, an employer will be considered to be in compliance if the employer can show a good faith effort has been made to acquire respirators."

Click here for more information (PDF).