Botulism

Standards

There are currently no specific OSHA standards for botulism and emergency response activities as a result of a bioterrorist attack. This section highlights OSHA standards and documents that address biological hazards, including botulism toxins, or chemical hazards related to cleaning and disinfecting surfaces with botulism toxins.

OSHA Standards
General Industry (29 CFR 1910)
General Industry (29 CFR 1910)
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1910 Subpart H - Hazardous Materials

1910.120, Hazardous waste operations and emergency response. The emergency response requirements of 29 CFR 1910.120(q) apply to hazardous substance releases.

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1910 Subpart I - Personal Protective Equipment

1910.132, General requirements.

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1910.134, Respiratory protection.

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1910 Subpart J - General Environmental Controls

1910.141, Sanitation. See paragraph (h) for information related to food handling.

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1910.142, Temporary labor camps. See paragraph (i) for information related to construction and operation of kitchens, dining hall, and feeding facilities.

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1910 Subpart Z - Toxic and Hazardous Substances

1910.1450, Occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals in laboratories.

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Construction (29 CFR 1926)
Construction (29 CFR 1926)
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1926 Subpart C - General Safety and Health Provisions

1926.20, General safety and health provisions.

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1926 Subpart D - Occupational Health and Environmental Controls

1926.51, Sanitation. See paragraph (d) for information related to food handling.

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1926 Subpart E - Personal Protective and Life Saving Equipment

1926.95, Criteria for personal protective equipment.

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1926.103, Respiratory protection.

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In addition, employers should be aware that section 11(c) of the OSH Act prohibits reprisal against an employee for speaking out about unsafe working conditions or reporting a work-related exposure to botulinum toxin to an employer. OSHA’s Recordkeeping regulation at 29 CFR 1904.35(b)(1)(iv) also prohibits reprisal against an employee for reporting a work-related injury or illness.

State Plan Standards

There are 29 OSHA-approved State Plans operating state-wide occupational safety and health programs. State Plans are required to have standards and enforcement programs that are at least as effective as OSHA's and may have different or more stringent requirements.