Occupational Health Issues Associated with H1N1 Influenza Virus (Swine Flu)

NOTE: This page is archived for historical purposes and is no longer being maintained or updated. For updated information on the 2010-2011 flu season, see the NIOSH seasonal influenza topic page.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is coordinating with other parts of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to address national health needs associated with preventing the spread of H1N1 flu virus and providing information to workers and employers. NIOSH provides technical guidance for workers, including health-care and transportation workers, for whom job-related questions about exposure or infection may be an occupational concern.

Resources for All Workplaces

CDC H1N1 Flu Resources for Businesses and Employers
Provides guidance documents and other resources for businesses, employers, and employees.

CDC Guidance for Businesses and Employers To Plan and Respond to the 2009–2010 Influenza Season
Recommends actions that non-healthcare employers should take now to decrease the spread of seasonal flu and 2009 H1N1 flu in the workplace. Provides recommendations to help maintain business continuity during the 2009–2010 flu season.

CDC Preparing for the Flu: A Communication Toolkit for Businesses and Employers
Provides information and communication resources to help businesses and employers implement the CDC business guidance.

CDC H1N1 Preparedness Guide for Small Businesses

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Employer Guidance: Reducing All Workers’ Exposures to the 2009 H1N1 Flu

OSHA Worker Guidance: Precautions for All Workers During the 2009-2010 Flu Season

University of Minnesota Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) Doing Business During an Influenza Pandemic (Toolkit) [PDF - 716 KB]

Resources for Healthcare and Laboratory Workers

• NIOSH Statement: The Risk of Serious Illness Among Healthcare Personnel Associated with 2009 H1N1 Influenza
  NIOSH and its partners are engaged in surveillance activities to better understand the factors that may heighten the risk of severe work-related 2009 H1N1 infection among healthcare personnel, as well as identify the factors which affect risk of transmission of 2009 H1N1 influenza to healthcare personnel.
• CDC Interim Guidance on Infection Control Measures for 2009 H1N1 Influenza in Healthcare Settings, Including Protection of Healthcare Personnel
• Questions and Answers about CDC’s Interim Guidance on Infection Control Measures for 2009 H1N1 Influenza in Healthcare Settings, Including Protection of Healthcare Personnel
• CDC Q&A: Regarding Respiratory Protection for Infection Control Measures for 2009 H1N1 Influenza among Healthcare Personnel
• OSHA Employer Guidance: Reducing Healthcare Workers’ Exposure to the 2009 H1N1 Virus
• OSHA Worker Guidance: Precautions For Healthcare Workers during the 2009-2010 Flu Season
• OSHA Compliance Directive: Enforcement Procedures for High to Very High Occupational Exposure Risk to 2009 H1N1 Influenza
• Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academies: Respiratory Protection for Healthcare Workers in the Workplace Against Novel H1N1 Influenza A
  Presents the conclusions and recommendations regarding the necessary respiratory protection for healthcare workers from the IOM Committee on Respiratory Protection for Healthcare Workers in the Workplace Against Novel H1N1 Influenza A.
• CDC Considerations for Pregnant Women who are More likely to be Exposed to H1N1 Flu at Work
• CDC Interim Guidance for Emergency Medical Services Systems and 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Points for Management of Patients with Confirmed or Suspected Swine-Origin Influenza A (H1N1) Infection
• CDC Interim Biosafety Guidance for All Individuals handling Clinical Specimens or Isolates containing 2009-H1N1 Influenza A Virus (Novel H1N1), including Vaccine Strains
• CDC MMWR article: Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infections Among Health-Care Personnel---United States, April--May 2009
• CDC Clean Hands Save Lives - Protect patients, protect yourself (poster) [PDF - 44 KB]
• CDC Cover Your Cough
  Poster for health-care settings [PDF - 168 KB]

NIOSHTIC-2 Search

Protecting home healthcare workers: a challenge to pandemic influenza preparedness planning Baron S, McPhaul K, Phillips S, Gershon R, Lipscomb J [2009]. Am J Publ Health Oct; 99(S2):S301-S307.

Respiratory Protection

NIOSH Respirator Trusted-Source Information Page
This information may be regarded as a trusted source to verify which respirators are approved by NIOSH, how to get them and how to use them.

CDC Q&A: Regarding Respiratory Protection for Infection Control Measures for 2009 H1N1 Influenza among Healthcare Personnel

Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academies: Respiratory Protection for Healthcare Workers in the Workplace Against Novel H1N1 Influenza A
Presents the conclusions and recommendations regarding the necessary respiratory protection for healthcare workers from the IOM Committee on Respiratory Protection for Healthcare Workers in the Workplace Against Novel H1N1 Influenza A.

University of New South Wales (MacIntyre) Study on Healthcare Worker Respirator Use
Results of a randomized trial of health care personnel respirator use were presented by The University of New South Wales (Australia) group (MacIntyre and colleagues) at the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) meeting October 31.

CDC Interim Recommendations for Facemask and Respirator Use to Reduce Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Transmission

NIOSH Topic Page: Respirators

OSHA Safety and Health Topic: Respiratory Protection

CDC General Procedures for Properly Putting on and Taking Off a Disposable Respirator
Poster containing step by step instructions for donning, fit checking and doffing a disposable respirator. [PDF - 2947 KB)
En Español

CDC Podcast: General Instructions for Disposable Respirators
Intended for the general public, demonstrates how to put on and take off disposable respirators that are to be used in areas affected by influenza outbreak.

CDC Podcast: Use of Facemasks and Respirators
Demonstrates the differences of facemasks and respirators that are to be used in public settings during an influenza pandemic.

CDC Resources for Transportation Workers

CDC Interim Guidance for Management of Influenza-Like Illness aboard Commercial Aircraft during the 2009-10 Influenza Season

Cruise Ship Guidance
Guidance for crew members and passengers of cruise ships to reduce their risk of exposure to novel influenza A (H1N1) influenza.

Resources for Swine Workers

CDC Interim Guidance for Workers Employed at Commercial Swine Farms: Preventing the Spread of Influenza A Viruses, Including the 2009 H1N1 Virus

CDC Interim Guidance for People Who Have Close Contact with Pigs in Non-commercial Settings: Preventing the Spread of Influenza A Viruses, Including the Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus

CDC 2009 H1N1 in Animals

CDC/USDA Fact Sheet: What Pork Producers and Workers Need to Know About Influenza (Flu) in Pigs and People [PDF - 185 KB)

National Pork Board H1N1 Influenza Biosecurity Recommendations for Producers [PDF - 63 KB)

NIOSHTIC-2 Search

Pandemic influenza and farmworkers: the effects of employment, social, and economic factors
Steege AL, Baron S, Davis S, Torres-Kilgore J, Sweeney MH [2009]. Am J Publ Health Oct; 99(S2):S308-S315

Pandemic Influenza Workplace Resources

Flu.gov
U.S. Government site for H1N1, avian, and pandemic resources.

HHS Workplace Pandemic Planning Resources

HHS Interim Guidance on Planning for the Use of Surgical Masks and Respirators in Health Care Settings during an Influenza Pandemic

HHS Interim Guidance on Environmental Management of Pandemic Influenza Virus
Includes tips for cleaning healthcare facilities, homes, schools, and businesses.

HHS Transportation Industry Guidance

• Interim Guidance for Cargo Trucking Crews for the Prevention of Pandemic Influenza
• Interim Guidance for Cleaning Crew for a Truck Cab When the Driver or Helper Is Visibly Ill during an Influenza Pandemic
• Interim Guidance for Cleaning Passenger and Cargo Vessels during an Influenza Pandemic
• Interim Guidance for Passenger Railcar (Transit Vehicle) Cleaning When Pandemic Influenza Is Suspected in a Passenger or Crew Member
• Interim Guidance for Transit Station Cleaning during an Influenza Pandemic
• Interim Guidance for Cleaning International Port of Entry (IPOE) Detention Facilities When Pandemic Influenza Is Suspected in a Detainee or Staff Member
• Interim Guidance for Cleaning Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Transport Vehicles during an Influenza Pandemic
• Interim Guidance for Aircraft Cleaning When Pandemic Influenza Is Suspected in a Passenger or Crew Member

Psychological and Social Support for Essential Service Workers During an Influenza Pandemic [PDF - 203 KB]
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is updating its Pandemic Influenza Plan (including supplements) based on the policy and planning advances that have taken place since 2005. Given the concerns expressed with the current H1N1 outbreak in multiple countries, this "CDC Interim Guidance on Psychological and Social Support for Essential Service Workers During an Influenza Pandemic" is being posted here to assist preparedness efforts for workers and employers. This guidance is being scheduled to replace (revise) the current Supplement 11 for the HHS Pandemic Influenza Plan. This guidance has been updated to include HHS resources developed since 2005 and to take into account lessons learned from public health responses to diseases outbreaks and natural disasters (e.g., hurricanes, wildfires, and floods). It includes information on workforce resiliency programs and on organizational factors that affect workforce performance and well-being. The bibliography, checklist, and list of psychological and social support services have been updated, and a new Leadership Self-Assessment Tool has been added to help employers of essential service workers develop plans for ensuring the availability of workforce support services during an influenza.

HHS Webcast: Workplace Pandemic Preparation