CONTAMINANT: TUBERCULOSIS (TB) ENFORCEMENT POLICY
ORIGIN: Moldex Technical Services Department
REVIEWED/UPDATED: August 2024
OSHA Guidance for Tuberculosis Control and Prevention
Conduct a job hazard analysis to identify workers at risk of exposure to TB prior to instituting control measures. Consider work operations and tasks when performing hazard analyses. Employers should develop specific work instructions to ensure procedures are consistently followed. The most effective job hazard analysis engages workers and their representatives throughout the process of their development and implementation.
Select the appropriate controls based on the results of the hazard analysis, including engineering controls, administrative controls, safe work practices, and personal protective equipment (PPE). Some controls may be required by OSHA standards.
See NIOSH’s TB Health Hazard Evaluations webpage to learn whether TB health hazards are present at the workplace and recommended ways to reduce hazards and prevent work-related illness.
Personal Protective Equipment
Provide workers with appropriate PPE based on the results of the hazard analysis. PPE may include but is not limited to:
Disposable gloves
Protective clothing (e.g., long-sleeved coveralls with a waterproof apron [if working with elephants, for example], patient care gown)
Disposable shoe covers or shoe covers that can be disinfected
Safety goggles or combination of safety glasses with face shield
Respiratory protection
If it is determined that workers need respirators, use a NIOSH-certified air-purifying respirator with a particulate filter that is rated N95 or higher. Respirators must be used as part of a comprehensive respiratory protection program that meets the requirements of OSHA’s Respiratory Protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134) and includes training, medical exams, and fit testing.
Moldex® Solution
Based on this information, it is acceptable to use any Moldex®, N, R or P class filter particulate respirators. The user should consult their infection control department for guidelines on how long each mask, cartridge, filter or filtering facepiece should be used.
Affected Industries
- Ambulatory Care Facilities, Correctional Institutions, Emergency Medical Services, Healthcare Settings,
- Hospitals, Long Term Care Facilities for the Elderly, Medical Wards in Correctional Facilities, Medical and Dental Offices
Reference
OSHA Safety & Health Topic:
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/tuberculosis/index.html#hot_topics
CDC Guidelines for Preventing Transmission of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis in Healthcare settings, 2005, December 30, 2005/Vol. 54/No.RR-17
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00035909.htm
CDC:
http://www.cdc.gov/tb/default.htm
Moldex® Respirators:
Moldex® Disposable Respirators
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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