Proposed OSHA Guidance on Workplace Stockpiling of Respirators and Facemasks for Pandemic Influenza

VHCA (6/6/2008)

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has issued proposed guidance on purchasing and stockpiling respirators and facemasks. The proposal provides employers with recommendations and a methodology for calculating workplace stockpiling needs for respirators and facemasks in the event of an influenza pandemic.  AHCA/NCAL will be commenting on the proposed guidance and is seeking member input. The request for comments, issued in the Federal Register on May 9, may be accessed here. This proposed guidance is supplementary to the existing Department of Labor/Health and Human Services guidance on preparing the workplace for an influenza pandemic that was released in February 2007.