What is the California OSHA standard for aerosol transmissible disease?

Protecting employees from highly infectious aerosol-transmissible diseases (ATDs) is crucial. California OSHA defines ATDs as diseases requiring droplet or airborne precautions and includes three categories: airborne infectious diseases, aerosol transmissible diseases, and laboratory-based pathogens. OSHA lays out rigorous procedures for ATD protection, covering infection control, source control, screening, and employer-employee communication. Prioritize employee safety and reduced infection risk. If you're unsure about the safety of your procedures, consult a healthcare professional to ensure a proper protection plan is in place. Stay informed and safeguard your workforce effectively.
man wiping nose with tissue

Aerosol-transmissible diseases are highly infectious pathogens that can cause great harm as they spread throughout the workforce. To protect against this threat, OSHA requires businesses to follow strict procedures. Understanding these requirements is essential to the health and well-being of all employees. What is the California OSHA standard for aerosol-transmissible disease? Here’s what you need to know.

What Is An Aerosol Transmissible Disease?

Aerosol-transmissible diseases, or ATDs, are defined by the California government as “a disease for which droplet or airborne precautions are required.” Furthermore, ATDs can be transmitted by means of infectious particles, droplets, inhalation, or direct contact.

To further break down this definition, ATDs can be broken down into three separate categories, depending on their unique characteristics.

Airborne infectious diseases (AirID)/airborne infectious pathogens (AirIP) include diseases like tuberculosis and are transmitted through the air. 

ATDs/Aerosol transmissible pathogens (ATPs) require droplet precautions and are diseases like mumps or pertussis. These diseases are transmitted by infectious particles or droplets when they come into contact with the following:

  • Eyes
  • Nose
  • Upper respiratory tract
  • Mucous membranes
  • mouth 

Aerosol transmissible pathogens – laboratory (ATP-L) are pathogens that are spread by laboratory-generated aerosols.

Due to the highly infectious nature of ATDs, OSHA has implemented several safety precautions for employers in order to protect the health of the working force. 

OSHA Procedures For Aersol Transmissible Disease

To mitigate the risk of exposure to an ATD, OSHA has written and recorded several standards for businesses to follow. Here are the written guidelines for the state of California.

Infection Control

OSHA requires that employers select and designate one individual who is to act as the primary administrator. They are responsible for enforcing and managing the ATD infection control procedures. This individual must have both authority and knowledge of infection control principles. Furthermore, the employer must then select and designate a backup candidate to act instead of the primary candidate should they be unavailable.

Source Control

Source control serves to limit the risk of spread and infection. Procedures include practices such as:

  • Posted signs instructing employees and patients to inform health care staff if they are showing any symptoms of respiratory infection.
  • Informing employees of respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette.
  • Providing appropriate handwashing facilities, including anti-bacterial soap, sanitizers, etc.
  • Isolating symptomatic individuals to keep them from infecting other individuals. 
  • Informing individuals who may have been in contact with someone who has begun showing symptoms of infection. 

Screening

Screen individuals regularly for any of the following:

  • A cough lasting more than three weeks
  • Flu-related symptoms from March-October
  • Anyone stating they have an ATD aside from a cold or seasonal flu
  • Anyone claiming to have been exposed to an ATD other than the seasonal flu

Employer/Employee Communication

Employers are to consistently maintain active and thorough communication with all members of the workforce, including multiple shifts and individuals who arrive throughout the day. Keep and maintain regular meetings and records, ensuring that every individual is provided access to the same information deemed essential to share in accordance with OSHA’s recommendations. 

While there are many rules and regulations standardized by OSHA, employee safety and reduced risk of infection should be your highest priority. If at any time you feel your procedures are unsafe or improperly implemented, reach out to a healthcare professional for assistance implementing a proper protection plan.

How Can We Help?

Work Health Solutions offers comprehensive healthcare solutions for your medical needs. Our qualified team treats patients and employers alike and always provides top-quality service. We back our quality service with years of experience working with academic and research institutions, corporate healthcare, Fortune 25 companies, small governments, and local businesses. Reach out today with any questions you may have about how we can assist you!

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Dr. Glen Cheng

A physician-attorney with a dedication to healthcare innovation, informatics, and digital health.

  • Currently spearheads employee health protection and promotion within the VA Pittsburgh Health Care System.
  • Trained in residency at Harvard, achieving board certification as a physician; also a licensed patent attorney with experience as FDA regulatory counsel.
  • Co-founded Acceleromics, a consulting firm providing clinical and regulatory guidance to digital health startups.

Erin Davis

 Chief Clinical Officer at Work Health Solutions, certified in Adult-Gerontology (AGNP-C) and Athletic Training (ATC).

  • Oversees clinical operations and ensures high clinical standards across the company’s national field staff.
  • Former Manager of Clinic Operations and Occupational Health Nurse Practitioner at Stanford University Occupational Health Center (SUOHC).
  • Specialized in treating occupational injuries and illnesses, and provided medical surveillance and travel medicine consults at Stanford and SLAC National Accelerator Lab.
  • Dedicated to sports and occupational injury treatment and prevention.
  • Assistant Clinical Faculty at UCSF, mentoring students in clinical rotations within the Adult Gerontology and Occupational and Environmental Health Program.
  • Holds leadership roles as Treasurer and President Elect of the California El Camino Real Association of Occupational Health Nurses (CECRAOHN), affiliated with the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN).

Dr. Robert Goldsmith

Founder and President of NBS Healthcare Group, with a focus on innovation in healthcare consulting.

  • Previous role as Executive Director for Employee Health at Novartis Services, Inc., leading health services and clinical support.
  • Instrumental in creating an integrated healthcare system at Novartis.
  • Former private practice in internal medicine in Stamford, Connecticut, and Medical Director consultant for GTE Corporation.
  • Transitioned to GE as a Global Medical Director in 2000.
  • Holds a medical degree from Albert Einstein College, an MPH from the University of Connecticut, and completed training at Greenwich Hospital and Yale-New Haven Medical Center.
  • Assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at the Vagelos School of Medicine, Columbia University.
  • Serves as a team physician for high school athletes in Stamford.
  • Published works on occupational health risks, primary prevention, and exercise-induced asthma.