Tuberculosis
Standards
This section highlights various general OSHA standards and other requirements which can be applied to occupational exposure to TB. Tuberculosis is also addressed in specific OSHA regulations for recording and reporting occupational injuries and illnesses in general industry.
The general duty clause of the OSH Act requires employers to provide their employees with a workplace free from recognized hazards causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm. More information on the application of the general duty clause to TB can be found in Enforcement Procedures and Scheduling for Occupational Exposure to Tuberculosis. CPL 02-02-078, (June 30, 2015).
OSHA Standards
Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (29 CFR 1904) |
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1904 Subpart C - Recordkeeping Forms and Recording Criteria | ||
1904.11, Recording criteria for work-related tuberculosis cases. States that for any employee who has been occupationally exposed to anyone with a known case of active tuberculosis, and subsequently develops a tuberculosis infection, as evidenced by a positive skin test or diagnosis by a licensed health care professional, the employer must record the case as a respiratory condition. |
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General Industry (29 CFR 1910) |
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1910 Subpart I - Personal Protective Equipment | ||
1910.132, General requirements. |
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1910.134, Respiratory protection. Requirements include updating the facility's respirator program, complying with medical evaluation requirements, annual fit testing of respirators, and some training and recordkeeping provisions. |
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1910 Subpart J - General Environmental Controls | ||
1910.145, Specifications for accident prevention signs and tags. |
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1910 Subpart Z - Toxic and Hazardous Substances | ||
1910.1020, Access to employee exposure and medical records. |
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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 an infection or exposure to TB to an employer. The mandatory OSHA regulation at 29 CFR 1904.35(b) also prohibits reprisal against an employee for reporting a work-related 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.
Additional Federal Register notices
Note: The notices in this list provide additional information that is not necessarily connected to a specific OSHA standard highlighted on this Safety and Health Topics page.
- Occupational Exposure to Tuberculosis; Proposed Rule; Termination of Rulemaking Respiratory Protection for M. Tuberculosis; Final Rule; Revocation. Proposed Rule 68:75767-75775, (December 31, 2003).
- Occupational Exposure to Tuberculosis; Proposed Rule. Proposed Rule 62:54159-54309, (October 17, 1997).
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.
- Enforcement Procedures and Scheduling for Occupational Exposure to Tuberculosis. CPL 02-02-078, (June 30, 2015).