overview

May 21st, 2007 the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has unveiled new safety and health guidance that will help healthcare workers and their employers prepare for a possible influenza pandemic.

OSHA National News Release:
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=14190

Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Guidance for Healthcare Workers and
Healthcare Employers:
http://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA_pandemic_health.pdf

On February 6th the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released new workplace safety and health guidance explaining how employers should protect employees from exposure to influenza virus during a flu pandemic. All U.S. workplaces are covered, but places special emphasis on health care and public health, one of 13 infrastructure sectors designated as critical to a strong national defense and thriving economy.

OSHA National News Release:
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=13698

Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for an Influenza Pandemic (OSHA 3327-02N 2007)
http://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3327pandemic.pdf

In November of 2006, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) issued a new Guidance for Protecting Employees against Avian Flu. It provides practical methods for avoiding infection, including the use of NIOSH approved respiratory protection devices. It offers information for poultry industry employees, those handling other animals, laboratory personnel, healthcare personnel, food handlers, travelers and US employees in foreign countries. It focuses on the use of good hygiene and the use of personal protection equipment, including respirators.

Avian Flu is a virus common to raised poultry and does not usually infect humans. However, since 1997 cases of human infection have been reported in parts of Southeast Asia and other areas of the world. Most cases of Avian Flu infection in humans has been attributed to contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces. To date, there have only been a few suspected cases of human-to-human transmission of the Avian Flu, and the exact mode of transmission is unknown. Nevertheless, it is possible for viruses to adapt and eventually gain the ability to transmit more easily among humans. This is a very real concern with Avian Flu, and the public needs to be aware of the symptoms. Symptoms of Avian Influenza in humans have ranged from typical influenza-like symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches) to eye infections (conjunctivitis), pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, viral pneumonia, and other severe and life-threatening complications.

On November 1, 2005, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued its Pandemic Influenza Plan, an emergency response plan in the event of an influenza outbreak. It covers all aspects of an influenza outbreak including strategies for preventing the spread of the flu. Some of the prevention strategies are vaccination, early detection and treatment, and the use of infection control measures during patient care, which includes the use of respiratory protection. HHS advises that a NIOSH approved N95 face piece respirator be used, as a minimum, when procedures that may create small particle aerosols of respiratory secretions such as endotracheal, intubation, nebulizer treatment, bronchoscopy and suctioning are used or if the flu becomes highly transmittable. In response to this Plan, the United States Government has begun to stockpile the critical supplies that will be required in the event of an outbreak.

Moldex^® Solution

A properly fitted N95 respirator will provide filtration protection exceeding that provided by any surgical or procedural mask that is not NIOSH certified. It is likely that hospitals and many other facilities will begin to purchase N95 respirators in preparation for avian flu and any pending pandemic.

In the event that you deem it appropriate to use a Moldex^® product for protection against Avian or any other strain of influenza, please follow the guidelines below.

• Do not share the respirator with another person.
• Make sure the respirator has been fit tested on the person who is to wear it.
• Only give a person infected with Avian Flu a respirator without an exhalation valve.
• Review all restrictions, use instructions, warnings and fitting instructions in and on the respirator's packaging.

Moldex^® urges those who wish to consider the use of respiratory protection to refer to the latest HHS Guideline. These can be found on websites referenced below.

References and Resources

HHS:
http://www.hhs.gov
http://pandemicflu.gov
http://www.hhs.gov/pandemicflu/plan

CDC:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic.htm

WHO:
http://www.who.int/topics/avian_influenza/en
http://www.wpro.who.int/health_topics/avian_influenza

OSHA:
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=13698
http://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3327pandemic.pdf
http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_AvianFlu/avian_flu_guidance_english.pdf
http://www.osha.gov/dsg/guidance/avian-flu.html
http://www.osha.gov/dts/shib/shib121304.html
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=
STANDARDS&p_id=12716&p_text_version=FALSE

FDA/U.S. Food and Drug Administration:
http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/ppe/masksrespirators.html

Moldex^®:
http://www.moldex.com/respiratory-protection/disposable-respirators/index.php
http://www.moldex.com/respiratory-protection/accessories/bitrex-fit-test-kit.php
http://www.moldex.com/pdf/datasheets/bitrex_fit_test_kit.pdf

WARNING: The information contained in this Tech Brief is dated and was accurate to the best of Moldex's knowledge, on the date above. It is not meant to be comprehensive, nor is it intended to be used in place of the warning/use instructions that accompany Moldex respirators. Outside of the USA, check with all applicable and local government regulations.

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