OSHA Seeking Comments for Possible Infectious Agents Standard

OSHA is requesting information and comment on occupational exposure to infectious agents in settings where healthcare is provided, (e.g., hospitals, outpatient clinics, etc.), and healthcare-related settings (e.g., laboratories that handle potentially infectious biological materials). OSHA is interested in strategies that are being used in such healthcare and other healthcare-related work settings to mitigate the risk of occupationally-acquired infectious diseases.

David Michaels, OSHA’s new director stated in May that OSHA has inadequate standards for workers exposed to infectious materials. “The OSHA laboratory standard deals with chemicals,” Mr. Michaels said. “It doesn’t deal with infectious agents.” Rather than trying to establish new rules for each infectious agent or for any specific hazards, Mr. Michaels expects OSHA to eventually require employers, in consultation with their employees, to identify all potential hazards in their workplaces and to take steps to reduce them. OSHA would then have the power to cite employers for failure to adequately implement this process.

As a first step toward possible new regulations, the agency issued a sweeping request for information on occupational risks from infectious agents, and for suggestions on how best to reduce them. The focus is mainly on hospital and other health care workers, but any rules are expected to also cover industry laboratory workers. The deadline for comments is August 4, 2010. For more information go to: http://tinyurl.com/2984wbm.

Proper Laboratory Temperature

The temperature in the lab should be maintained at 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit with a humidity between 35 and 55%. The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) have guidelines covering these ranges. As laboratories add more automated equipment, the room temperature goes up due to the amount of heat generated. Old labs are often a composite of several small rooms that lack the proper circulation and ventilation. If it is too hot, the equipment doesn’t work properly and the lab results are erroneous. ASHRAE also states that air exchange is important. Twelve exchanges per hour removes 99% of airborne particulates in 23 minutes. Armed with this information, laboratory management should work with the facility’s engineering department to assure employee comfort.