NIOSH Safety and Health Topic:

Occupational Health Issues Associated with H1N1 Influenza Virus (Swine Flu)

Overview

Now on the NIOSH Science Blog
H1N1: Protecting Healthcare Workers

Healthcare workers and emergency responders will face increased risk of exposure to H1N1 given their role in caring for sick patients. Find out more.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is coordinating with other parts of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to address national health needs associated with preventing the spread of H1N1 flu virus and providing information to workers and employers. NIOSH provides technical guidance for workers, including health-care and transportation workers, for whom job-related questions about exposure or infection may be an occupational concern.

CDC Resources for All Workplaces

CDC Guidance for Businesses and Employers To Plan and Respond to the 2009–2010 Influenza Season
Recommends actions that non-healthcare employers should take now to decrease the spread of seasonal flu and 2009 H1N1 flu in the workplace. Provides recommendations to help maintain business continuity during the 2009–2010 flu season.

Preparing for the Flu: A Communication Toolkit for Businesses and Employers
Provides information and communication resources to help businesses and employers implement the CDC business guidance.

CDC H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)
Provides comprehensive and current information including guidance for workplaces and communities.

CDC H1N1 Flu Resources for Businesses and Employers
Provides guidance documents and other resources for businesses, employers, and employees.

Clean Hands Save Lives
PDF Only (1pg. 44KB)

Cover your cough - poster for community and public settings like schools and child care facilities
PDF Only (1pg. 516KB)

Video: Put your hands together
Scientists estimate that people are not washing their hands often or well enough and may transmit up to 80% of all infections by their hands. From doorknobs to animals to food, harmful germs can live on almost everything. Handwashing may be your single most important act to help stop the spread of infection and stay healthy.

CDC Podcast: Creating a Safe and Healthy Workplace
Helps businesses understand how novel H1N1 flu can affect their business and how to keep their workers and worksites safe.

Respiratory Protection

CDC Interim Recommendations for Facemask and Respirator Use to Reduce Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Transmission

CDC Interim Guidance for Infection Control for Care of Patients with Confirmed or Suspected Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection in a Healthcare Setting

NIOSH Topic Page: Respirators

OSHA Safety and Health Topic: Respiratory Protection

CDC General Procedures for Properly Putting on and Taking Off a Disposable Respirator
Poster containing step by step instructions for donning, fit checking and doffing a disposable respirator.
PDF Only (1pg. 2947KB)
En Español

CDC Podcast: General Instructions for Disposable Respirators
Intended for the general public, demonstrates how to put on and take off disposable respirators that are to be used in areas affected by influenza outbreak.

CDC Podcast: Use of Facemasks and Respirators
Demonstrates the differences of facemasks and respirators that are to be used in public settings during an influenza pandemic.

CDC Resources for Healthcare and Laboratory Workers

Clean Hands Save Lives - Protect patients, protect yourself (poster)
PDF Only (1pg. 44KB)

Cover your cough - Poster for health-care settings
PDF Only (1pg. 168KB)

Interim Guidance for Infection Control for Care of Patients with Confirmed or Suspected Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection in a Healthcare Setting

Considerations for Pregnant Women who are More likely to be Exposed to H1N1 Flu at Work

Interim Guidance for Emergency Medical Services Systems and 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Points for Management of Patients with Confirmed or Suspected Swine-Origin Influenza A (H1N1) Infection

H1N1 Virus Biosafety Guidelines for Laboratory Workers

CDC Resources for Transportation Workers

Air Crew Guidance
Guidance for airlines regarding flight and cabin crews arriving from areas affected by novel influenza A (H1N1) influenza.

Cruise Ship Guidance
Guidance for crew members and passengers of cruise ships to reduce their risk of exposure to novel influenza A (H1N1) influenza.

Pandemic Influenza Workplace Resources

Pandemicflu.gov
U.S. Government site for H1N1, avian, and pandemic resources.

HHS Workplace Pandemic Planning Resources

HHS Interim Guidance on Planning for the Use of Surgical Masks and Respirators in Health Care Settings during an Influenza Pandemic

OSHA Worker and Safety Guidance for Pandemic Influenza

HHS Interim Guidance on Environmental Management of Pandemic Influenza Virus
Includes tips for cleaning healthcare facilities, homes, schools, and businesses.

HHS Interim Guidance on Cleaning Transit Vehicles and Facilities during a Pandemic

HHS Interim Guidance for Cargo Trucking Crews for the Prevention of Pandemic Influenza

Psychological and Social Support for Essential Service Workers During an Influenza Pandemic
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is updating its Pandemic Influenza Plan (including supplements) based on the policy and planning advances that have taken place since 2005 (http://www.hhs.gov/pandemicflu/plan/#part2). Given the concerns expressed with the current H1N1 outbreak in multiple countries, this "CDC Interim Guidance on Psychological and Social Support for Essential Service Workers During an Influenza Pandemic" is being posted here to assist preparedness efforts for workers and employers. This guidance is being scheduled to replace (revise) the current Supplement 11 for the HHS Pandemic Influenza Plan (http://www.hhs.gov/pandemicflu/plan/sup11.html). This guidance has been updated to include HHS resources developed since 2005 and to take into account lessons learned from public health responses to diseases outbreaks and natural disasters (e.g., hurricanes, wildfires, and floods). It includes information on workforce resiliency programs and on organizational factors that affect workforce performance and well-being. The bibliography, checklist, and list of psychological and social support services have been updated, and a new Leadership Self-Assessment Tool has been added to help employers of essential service workers develop plans for ensuring the availability of workforce support services during an influenza.
PDF Only (30 pg.203KB)

HHS Webcast: Workplace Pandemic Preparation