Does the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have workplace guidance and standards that cover avian and pandemic influenza?
Category: Workplace Safety and Health Issues
Answer:
OSHA does not have a specific standard for avian influenza or pandemic influenza but a number of its standards for workplace safety and health may be applicable during an outbreak of avian influenza or pandemic influenza, including the:
Avian influenza, also known as bird flu, is caused by influenza viruses that normally reside in the intestinal tract of wild waterfowl and shore birds where they rarely cause disease. However, when these viruses infect poultry, they can cause either a mild disease, referred to as low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) or a severe disease, referred to as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The HPAI H5N1 viruses have caused the deaths of millions of birds and have caused illness and death in humans in a number of countries, including those in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. There is concern that one of these viruses could develop the ability to be transmitted readily between humans and precipitate a pandemic. However, as of September, 2007 these viruses have not been detected in the U.S. and none has yet developed into a pandemic virus.
OSHA has developed guidance for employees that might be exposed to HPAI H5N1 viruses. This safety and health guidance alerts workers and employers about the hazards of avian influenza and provides practical recommendations on ways to protect employees that may be exposed to avian influenza viruses. OSHA’s guidance provides recommendations for poultry workers as well as animal handlers other than poultry workers, laboratory workers, medical personnel, food handlers, airport personnel that may be exposed to passengers having or suspected of being AI-infected, and U.S. workers who are stationed overseas or who might be on temporary work assignments in countries affected by HPAI H5N1. The guidance also includes appendices with technical information concerning avian influenza and lists links to Web sites which provide up-to-date information on the status of avian influenza throughout the world. See OSHA Guidance Update on Protecting Employees from Avian Flu (Avian Influenza) Viruses. (It is also available in Spanish.)
Pandemic influenza occurs when a new influenza virus, for which humans have little or no immunity, develops the ability to spread easily between humans. The result is a global influenza epidemic, a pandemic, with serious illness and death worldwide. Pandemic influenza viruses usually come from animal viruses like the currently circulating HPAI H5N1 viruses that have undergone genetic changes that allow them to pass readily between humans. Currently, a pandemic influenza virus has not been identified. OSHA and the Department of Health and Human Services have developed guidance on preparing communities and the workplace for an influenza pandemic. See Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for an Influenza Pandemic as well as other guidance on www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/workplaceplanning/index.html.
Note: As an overall matter, employers should be guided in their relationship with their employees not only by federal employment law, but by their own employee handbooks, manuals, and contracts (including bargaining agreements), and by any applicable state or local laws.Not all of the employment laws referenced apply to all employers or all employees, particularly state and local government agencies. For information on whether a particular employer or employee is covered by a law, please use the links provided for more detailed information. This information is not intended for federal agencies or federal employees -- they should contact the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) for guidance.
Last Updated: 01/25/2008
