NIOSH is updating its research agenda on PPE for healthcare workers. The NIOSH Personal Protective Technology Program; Framework Document for Healthcare Worker PPE Action Plan includes short- and long-term strategies for the program's research and intervention, and standards development to improve PPE effectiveness in healthcare settings. Occupational Safety & Health Reporter says that the PPE plan is driven by concerns of occupational exposure to emerging and potentially deadly respiratory pathogens. Among the proposed recommendations are to develop standardized terms and definitions; explore healthcare safety culture and work organization; and clarify PPE guidelines for outbreaks of novel viral respiratory infections.
The NIOSH Personal Protective Technology Program; Framework Document for Healthcare Worker PPE Action Plan is available on the Federal Register website; and public comments may be submitted until Sept. 13, 2013.
A Blog From the American Society of Safety Engineers