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H1N1 NEWS
Hawaii State Flue
Website - Updated on Dec. 8, 2009
~ Where to get your shots ~
http://flu.hawaii.gov/vaccination.html
Occupational Safety & Health Administration - Office of Small
Business Assistance
Small Business Forum -
September 30, 2009
“Workplace
Preparedness: How Small Businesses Can Prepare for H1N1
Influenza”
New Workplace Safety
- H1N1 Fact Sheets from OSHA
Simple Guidelines for Employers and Employees
https://www.osha.gov/h1n1/index.html
OSHA releases H1N1 compliance directive for health care workers
OSHA on Nov. 20 issued a compliance directive (.pdf file) intended to ensure uniform procedures for inspections to identify and minimize health care workers' exposure to the H1N1 influenza virus.
According to an OSHA press release, inspectors responding to complaints will make sure health care employers have a hierarchy of controls, promote vaccination and other precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and follow the respiratory protection standard when applicable. OSHA's directive also applies to institutional settings where workers may be at risk, such as schools and correctional facilities.
The directive follows guidance from CDC.
In related news, the Washington-based American Public Health Association expressed support for the federal guidance that health care workers wear fit-tested N95 respirators instead of surgical masks as protection against H1N1. In a Nov. 19 letter (.pdf file) to President Barack Obama, APHA refuted the recent claim by three scientific organizations that the federal policy does not reflect scientific evidence.
