Commonground
Senior Moderator
JANUARY 10, 2025
WHAT TO KNOW
This update improves organization and readability. It was also expanded to cover workers at additional animal facilities such as zoos and sanctuaries. In a previous update in November 2024, CDC made recommendations for three levels of exposure controls based on the task and setting (low, medium, and high). CDC may update these recommendations as we learn more during this evolving situation.
Overview
Overview
Information for workers
Workers with increased potential for exposure should see the Information for Workers Exposed to H5N1 Bird Flu. They should also talk with their supervisor or their employer's health and safety committee about how best to apply these recommendations.
Humans can be infected with avian influenza A viruses, such as viruses that cause H5N1 bird flu, when enough virus gets into a person's eyes, nose, or mouth, or is inhaled. When virus is in the air (such as in droplets from splashes, small particles, or dust), it can deposit on the mucus membranes of the mouth, eyes, or nose. A person can also breathe the virus in from the air. Infections can also happen when a person gets virus on their skin or clothes and accidentally transfers it to their eyes, nose, or mouth. For example, when a person is splashed by a liquid that has the virus, touches their contaminated clothes, and later touches their eyes.
Employers should take steps to reduce workers' exposure to avian influenza A viruses from sick animals or contaminated environments. Reducing exposure to avian influenza A viruses helps both public health and biosecurity – protecting people and animals from illness caused by these viruses, such as H5N1 bird flu. Familiarize yourself with any Occupational Safety and Health Administration(OSHA) requirements that may apply to you. If you operate in a state regulated by a state OSHA plan, familiarize yourself with any additional requirements that may apply.
To protect workers who might be exposed, employers should update or develop a workplace health and safety plan. We encourage using a health and safety committee that includes representatives from both management and workers to develop the plan. OSHA has helpful guidance and consultation on developing a workplace health and safety plan. Your local agriculture extension office may also have resources available.
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Conduct a site-specific hazard assessment
First, conduct a site-specific hazard assessment of your farm to identify potential exposures to avian influenza A viruses based on work tasks and settings. Employers can use the Hazard Assessment Worksheet for Dairy Facilities to identify dairy workplace hazards and prioritize controls. Protecting Poultry Workers from Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) can help identify poultry workplace hazards and prioritize controls, including PPE needed for protection.
After completing a site-specific hazard assessment, use the table below to determine the potential exposure level (low, medium, or high) for work tasks and settings. Links in the table will take you to information on the appropriate type(s) of controls that can be used to reduce exposure to avian influenza A viruses.
The recommended actions are based on the hierarchy of controls. This model identifies a preferred order of actions to best control hazardous workplace exposures.
Levels of exposure
This table identifies the type of controls and PPE that can be used depending on the exposure level of the setting or task. These recommendations are based on our current understanding of exposure risk.
Continued:
https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/prevention/worker-protection-ppe.html
WHAT TO KNOW
This update improves organization and readability. It was also expanded to cover workers at additional animal facilities such as zoos and sanctuaries. In a previous update in November 2024, CDC made recommendations for three levels of exposure controls based on the task and setting (low, medium, and high). CDC may update these recommendations as we learn more during this evolving situation.
Overview
Overview
Information for workers
Workers with increased potential for exposure should see the Information for Workers Exposed to H5N1 Bird Flu. They should also talk with their supervisor or their employer's health and safety committee about how best to apply these recommendations.
Humans can be infected with avian influenza A viruses, such as viruses that cause H5N1 bird flu, when enough virus gets into a person's eyes, nose, or mouth, or is inhaled. When virus is in the air (such as in droplets from splashes, small particles, or dust), it can deposit on the mucus membranes of the mouth, eyes, or nose. A person can also breathe the virus in from the air. Infections can also happen when a person gets virus on their skin or clothes and accidentally transfers it to their eyes, nose, or mouth. For example, when a person is splashed by a liquid that has the virus, touches their contaminated clothes, and later touches their eyes.
Employers should take steps to reduce workers' exposure to avian influenza A viruses from sick animals or contaminated environments. Reducing exposure to avian influenza A viruses helps both public health and biosecurity – protecting people and animals from illness caused by these viruses, such as H5N1 bird flu. Familiarize yourself with any Occupational Safety and Health Administration(OSHA) requirements that may apply to you. If you operate in a state regulated by a state OSHA plan, familiarize yourself with any additional requirements that may apply.
To protect workers who might be exposed, employers should update or develop a workplace health and safety plan. We encourage using a health and safety committee that includes representatives from both management and workers to develop the plan. OSHA has helpful guidance and consultation on developing a workplace health and safety plan. Your local agriculture extension office may also have resources available.
-snip-
Conduct a site-specific hazard assessment
First, conduct a site-specific hazard assessment of your farm to identify potential exposures to avian influenza A viruses based on work tasks and settings. Employers can use the Hazard Assessment Worksheet for Dairy Facilities to identify dairy workplace hazards and prioritize controls. Protecting Poultry Workers from Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) can help identify poultry workplace hazards and prioritize controls, including PPE needed for protection.
After completing a site-specific hazard assessment, use the table below to determine the potential exposure level (low, medium, or high) for work tasks and settings. Links in the table will take you to information on the appropriate type(s) of controls that can be used to reduce exposure to avian influenza A viruses.
The recommended actions are based on the hierarchy of controls. This model identifies a preferred order of actions to best control hazardous workplace exposures.
- Engineering controls reduce or prevent hazards from coming into contact with workers. Engineering controls are more effective than other options because they don't require ongoing efforts by workers and their supervisors.
- Administrative controls establish work practices that reduce the duration, frequency, or intensity of exposure to hazards.
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn to minimize exposure to hazards. To be most effective, PPE must be put on and taken off correctly and in a specific order.
Levels of exposure
This table identifies the type of controls and PPE that can be used depending on the exposure level of the setting or task. These recommendations are based on our current understanding of exposure risk.
Continued:
https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/prevention/worker-protection-ppe.html