Pandemics

OSHA Publishes Infectious Disease Request for Information

Submitted by scott.madar on May 6, 2010 - 9:48am

OSHA requests information and comment on occupational exposure to infectious agents in settings where healthcare is provided, (e.g., hospitals, outpatient clinics, clinics in schools and correctional facilities), and healthcare-related settings (e.g., laboratories that handle potentially infectious biological materials, medical examiner offices and mortuaries). OSHA is interested in strategies that are being used in such healthcare and other healthcare-related work settings to mitigate the risk of occupationally-acquired infectious diseases.

Government Failing to Protect America from Grave Threats of WMD Proliferation and Terrorism

Submitted by scott.madar on January 27, 2010 - 9:52am

On January 26, 2010, former Senator Bob Graham (D-FL) and former Senator Jim Talent (R-MO), chair and vice chair of the bipartisan Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism, released a report card indicating that the U.S. government is not taking the necessary steps to protect the country from the threats posed by WMD and terrorism.

OSHA Recordkeeping and H1N1 Influenza

Submitted by steve.newell on November 24, 2009 - 1:34pm
On November 20, OSHA issued a Compliance Directive (CPL-02-02-075) establishing enforcement policies and providing instructions to its compliance officers for inspections designed to minimize high occupational exposure risk to the virus identified as 2009 H1N1 influenza among workers in healthcare and laboratory settings.  (See Directive at http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/Directive_pdf/CPL_02_02-075.pdf.)  Included in the Directive is OSHA’s official interpretation of how to address H1N1 cases for recordability

ORC Worldwide - Cal OSHA Pan Flu Web Conference

Submitted by nicole.mack on September 29, 2009 - 9:20am

61:25 minutes (17.57 MB)

 

International Swine Flu Conference & Workshops: November 23-24, 2009

Submitted by Joanne.Linhard on September 16, 2009 - 3:16pm

International Swine Flu Conference & Workshops:  November 23-24, 2009 -- This conference is modeled after the seven previous"Bird Flu" summits which featured distinguished personalities such as Dr. David Nabarro, the United Nations Coordinator for Avian and Human Infl uenza, Alex Thiermann of the World Organization for Animal Health(OIE) and Dr.

Free Pandemic Planning Webinar Offered by OSHA and the American Red Cross

Submitted by Ann.Brockhaus on September 9, 2009 - 3:45pm

OSHA and the American Red Cross are co-sponsoring a free Webinar to help employers and workers prepare for Pandemic Flu.  Through the OSHA and American Red Cross Alliance, the American Red Cross is hosting a no-cost, Nationwide Webcast, “Prepare Your Employees and Your Business for Pandemic Flu with Help from the American Red Cross and OSHA” on Septem

IOM Recommends N95 Respirators to Protect Health Care Workers From H1N1 Flu

Submitted by Ann.Brockhaus on September 7, 2009 - 2:36pm

On September 3, 2009, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released its much anticipated report, Respiratory Protection For Healthcare Workers In The Workplace Against Novel H1n1 Influenza A:  A Letter Report. The study was requested by the CDC and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The study panel supports the CDC recommendation that healthcare workers wear fit-tested N95 respirators, rather than surgical masks, to guard against respiratory infection by the virus.

Lessons from Mexico for next wave of swine flu

Submitted by dee.woodhull on September 1, 2009 - 11:14am

Lessons from Mexico for next wave of swine flu - This article discusses what worked--and what didn't--during Mexico's first wave of the novel H1N1 influenza epidemic. 

 

New and Updated Guidance for Businesses and Employers for the Fall Flu Season & H1N1 Pandemic Response

Submitted by Joanne.Linhard on August 24, 2009 - 5:16pm

Several  new or updated documents that have recently been posted on-line by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are of particular interest to employers planning for response to the H1N1 pandemic:

Harvard Survey Finds Six in Ten Americans Believe Serious Outbreak of Influenza A (H1N1) Likely in Fall/Winter

Submitted by Joanne.Linhard on July 20, 2009 - 5:03pm

On July 16, the Harvard Opinion Research Program at the Harvard School of Public Health released the results of the most recent of a series of national polls that focused on Americans' views and concerns about the potential for a more severe outbreak of Influenza A (H1N1) in the fall or winter. The most recent polling was done June 22-28, 2009.  Approximately six in ten Americans (59%) believe it is very or somewhat likely that there will be widespread cases of Influenza A (H1N1) with people getting very sick this coming fall or winter.

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