Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)
Standards
This section highlights OSHA standards and the preamble to OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) standard (29 CFR 1910.1030), directives (instructions for compliance officers), and a Memorandum of Understanding, all of which may be applicable in the event of possible worker exposure to MERS-CoV.
Elements of infection control for MERS-CoV, including a number of precautions for diseases for which the route(s) of transmission may be uncertain, are covered under OSHA's PPE standards (29 CFR 1910 Subpart I), the BBP standard (29 CFR 1910.1030), as well as Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act of 1970, 29 USC 654(a)(1), (often referred to as the General Duty Clause). Section 5(a)(1) requires employers to furnish to each worker "employment and a place of employment, which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm." At times, OSHA uses the General Duty Clause to address hazards for which there are no specific standards (e.g., occupational exposure to MERS-CoV).
Consult the CDC guidance Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Hospitalized Patients with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) to determine appropriate protections for healthcare workers exposed to MERS-CoV. The CDC's MERS web page describes MERS-specific infection control practices and PPE for healthcare and other workers.
When there is potential for worker exposure to bioaerosols containing MERS-CoV, employers must also follow OSHA's Respiratory Protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134). The Background and Control and Prevention tabs provide additional information about potential aerosol exposure hazards and controls.
Employers must also protect their workers from exposure to chemicals used for cleaning and disinfection. Where workers are exposed to hazardous chemicals, employers must comply with OSHA's Hazard Communication standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) and other applicable OSHA chemical standards. In addition, OSHA recommends that employers consult CDC guidance in order to implement a comprehensive worker protection program. The OSHA Hospital e-Tool contains a section on Housekeeping, including information on hazardous chemicals used in hospitals and related OSHA standards.
Paragraph 11(c) of the OSH Act, 29 USC 660(c), prohibits employers from retaliating against workers for raising concerns about safety and health conditions. OSHA encourages workers who suffer such discrimination to submit a complaint to OSHA. Workers have 30 days to file their complaints.
Depending on the specific work task, setting, and exposure to biological or chemical agents, some OSHA standards that may apply include:
OSHA Standards
General Industry (29 CFR 1910) |
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1910 Subpart I - Personal Protective Equipment | ||
1910.132, General requirements. |
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1910.133, Eye and face protection. |
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1910.134, Respiratory protection. |
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1910.138, Hand Protection. |
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1910 Subpart J - General Environmental Controls | ||
1910.141, Sanitation. |
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1910 Subpart K - Medical and First Aid | ||
1910.151, Medical services and first aid. See paragraph (c) for information related to medical surveillance. |
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1910 Subpart Z - Toxic and Hazardous Substances | ||
1910.1020, Access to employee exposure and medical records. Also see 29 CFR Part 1904, recording and reporting occupational injuries and illness |
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1910.1030, Bloodborne pathogens. |
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1910.1200, Hazard Communication. |
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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.
Additional Directives
Note: The directives in this list provide additional information that is not necessarily connected to a specific OSHA standard highlighted on this Safety and Health Topics page.
- Inspection Procedures for the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS 2012). CPL 02-02-079, (July 09, 2015).
- Inspection procedures for the Respiratory Protection Standard. CPL 02-00-158, (June 26, 2014).
- 29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I, Enforcement Guidance for Personal Protective Equipment in General Industry. CPL 02-01-050, (February 10, 2011).
- Rules of agency practice and procedure concerning OSHA access to employee medical records. CPL 02-02-072, (August 22, 2007).
- Recordkeeping Policies and Procedures Manual. CPL 02-00-135, (December 30, 2004).
- Enforcement Procedures for the Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens. CPL 02-02-069, (November 27, 2001).
See also Most Frequently Asked Questions Concerning the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, 1910.1030. Provides answers to the most commonly asked questions related to the Bloodborne Pathogens standard.
- Information on Memorandum of Understanding between OSHA and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Flight Attendant/Cabin Crewmembers Health and Safety. In general, the safety and health of aircraft cabin crewmembers and flightcrew members are under the jurisdiction of the FAA and not covered by OSHA standards while they are on aircraft in operation. However, under a policy statement issued by FAA and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the FAA and OSHA, Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Aircraft Cabin Crewmembers, aircraft cabin crewmembers are covered by the following standards onboard aircraft in operation:
- Bloodborne Pathogens (29 CFR 1910.1030)
- Occupational Noise Exposure (29 CFR 1910.95)
- Hazard Communication (29 CFR 1910.1200)
As defined in the FAA policy statement, an aircraft cabin crewmember means a person assigned to perform duty in an aircraft cabin when the aircraft is in operation (other than flightcrew members). Aircraft cabin crewmembers include flight attendants, workers assigned to clean and restock the cabin, and other workers assigned to perform duty in an aircraft cabin when the aircraft is in operation. These workers, and baggage handlers, are covered by all OSHA standards when they are not working in an aircraft cabin when the aircraft is in operation.
For the purpose of the MOU and the policy statement, an aircraft is "in operation" from the time it is first boarded by a crewmember, preparatory to a flight, to the time the last crewmember leaves the aircraft after completion of that flight, including stops on the ground during which at least one crewmember remains on the aircraft, even if the engines are shut down.
- Under section 4(b)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 USC 653(b)(1), OSHA generally does not have authority to enforce the standards not encompassed in the MOU (e.g., the PPE standard) with respect to the working conditions of aircraft cabin crewmembers while they are onboard aircraft in operation. The FAA, and not OSHA, generally has authority over those working conditions.
- Separate from the MOU, OSHA has authority to enforce its regulations on recordkeeping, 29 CFR Part 1904, and access to employee exposure and medical records, 29 CFR § 1910.1020, to investigate employee complaints of discrimination for engaging in protected activity related to safety or health in the workplace under section 11(c) of the OSH Act, 29 U.S.C. § 660(c), and to investigate employee complaints of discrimination for providing information about alleged violations of FAA requirements or of any Federal law relating to air carrier safety under section 519 of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century, Pub.L. 106-181, 49 U.S.C. § 42121.
- Additional information is available in an OSHA Memorandum for Regional Administrators, "Applicability of Certain OSHA Standards to Cabin Crew Members on Aircraft in Operation."
Additional guidance is available on the Control and Prevention and Additional Resources tabs.