March 13, 2006—The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) Healthcare Practice Specialty group has published advice to prepare for a possible flu pandemic in a newsletter article titled “Avian Flu: Infection Control Guidelines.” The article is a response to questions on avian flu from several of ASSE’s 30,000 occupational safety, health, and environmental practitioners, who are on the front lines of protecting workers.
The ASSE article urges businesses and members to keep informed, develop a plan, and implement public health programs. It also suggests anticipating how to function with a significant portion of the workforce/school population absent due to illness or caring for ill family members.
The article contains several hotlines for information, as well as links to such sites as pandemicflu.gov, the White House Web site that gives updates on national and international information and strategies.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the avian flu can be transmitted in many ways. In an agricultural setting, animal manure containing influenza virus can contaminate dust and soil, causing infection when the contaminated dust is inhaled. Contaminated farm equipment, feed, cages, shoes, or animals can carry the virus from farm to farm.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) notes that highly pathogenic avian influenza is a select agent and must be worked with under Biosafety Level (BSL) 3+ laboratory conditions. Furthermore, all employers processing biologic specimens suspected of being infected with H5N1 must ensure that their employees comply with all provisions of 29 CFR 1910.1030 for employee protection against blood borne pathogens.
