Where Ebola meets workplace safety: Seven prevention steps

Fortunately, California OSHA (Cal/OSHA) has teamed up with other state health agencies to release recommendations that will help protect workers from Ebola.

A press release from Cal/OSHA said that federal officials have stated that workers in certain professions could potentially be exposed to Ebola. According to Cal/OSHA's acting chief, Juliann Sum, the standards that California has in place for protecting workers from hazards like Ebola far exceed any national standards.

The safety recommendations urge employers to:

• Make sure workers who are at risk of Ebola exposure wear the proper PPE, including gloves, impermeable body suits, face shields or alternate face and eye coverings, and NIOSH-approved respirators, when appropriate. The PPE used must not allow any bodily fluids to come into contact with a worker's clothing or skin.
• Provide proper training so workers know correct procedures for correctly putting on and removing PPE. Allow workers to practice with the PPE so they are comfortable.
• Designate an area for workers to put on and remove PPE.
• Use either a buddy system or another way of assisting workers to put on and remove their PPE. Remember that anyone assisting must also wear correct PPE.
• Use other PPE, like double gloves and disposable shoe and leg coverings, when working in areas with bodily fluids.
• Provide workers who are performing aerosol-generating procedures with an airborne infection isolation room, or at the very least, a private room with the door closed. Remind these workers that they must use NIOSH-approved respirators.
• If you or your workers suspect a case of Ebola, report it to the local public health department immediately.