The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is inviting public comments on proposed guidance for its existing document, Workplace Stockpiling of Respirators and Facemasks for Pandemic Influenza.
"This proposed guidance supplements the existing document, Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for an Influenza Pandemic, released last year," says Edwin G. Foulke Jr., OSHA'S assistant secretary of labor. "We want to assist employers in equipping their workplaces with protective devices so that their employees remain safe and healthy in the event of an influenza pandemic."
The proposed guidance document offers private sector and government employers recommendations and methods for calculating workplace stockpiling needs for respirators and face masks. It also allows employers to better protect their employees and reduce the impact of a pandemic.
OSHA published the request for comments in the May 9 Federal Register. OSHA is accepting comments until July 8, 2008. The public can submit comments through the federal e-rulemaking portal.
