U.S. Department Of Labor's OSHA Unveils New Pandemic Flu Guidance For Healthcare Workers

The U.S. Department of
Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has unveiled
new safety and health guidance that will help healthcare workers and their
employers prepare for a possible influenza pandemic. Pandemic Influenza
Preparedness and Response Guidance for Healthcare Workers and Healthcare
Employers was released today by the agency.


"During an influenza pandemic, the healthcare community will be on the
frontline," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Edwin G. Foulke Jr.
"This new guidance provides information and tools to help protect
healthcare workers."



A comprehensive resource for healthcare planners and practitioners, the
new guidance offers information and tools to assist the industry in
preparing for and responding to an influenza pandemic. It includes
technical information on infection control and industrial hygiene practices
to reduce the risk of infection in healthcare settings; workplace
preparations and planning issues; and OSHA standards that have special
importance to pandemic preparedness planners and responders in the
industry.



Specifically, the guidance provides a wide range of information and
tools helpful to pandemic planners, including: Internet resources,
communication tools, sample infection control programs, and self-triage and
home care resources. It also offers how-to advice on diagnosis and
treatment of staff during a pandemic, developing planning and supply
checklists, and risk communication.



Under the President's National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza:
Implementation Plan, the Department of Labor was tasked with promoting the
health, safety and welfare of employees and providing guidance to assist
employers in protecting the health and safety of employees during a
pandemic. In February, OSHA released its Guidance on Preparing Workplaces
for an Influenza Pandemic, which provides general guidance for all types of
workplaces; describes the differences among seasonal, avian and pandemic
influenza; and presents information on the nature of a potential pandemic,
how the virus is likely to spread and how exposure is likely to occur.



Should a pandemic occur, OSHA will furnish up-to-date information and
guidance to the public through the pandemicflu Web site.




Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are
responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their
employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's
working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing
training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and
encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health.
For more information, visit osha.



U.S. Department of Labor

pandemicflu