Cal/OSHA Respiratory Protection Healthcare

Case Study: San Mateo County health, safety, and risk management professionals developed an aerosol transmissible exposure control plan that serves as an exemplary guide for other counties in California as they strive to meet the Cal/OSHA standards for respiratory exposure protection. In this plan, the requirements of the standards are clearly presented and explained. For each type of county stakeholder (for example, department heads, risk management specialists, public works administrators, purchasing agents, and employees), the plan outlines the specific tasks that the employee must perform to ensure respiratory protection for all county employees and its customers. The plan defines all terms that are relevant to its specific exposure control plan. The central components of the plan are its clearly written administrative control and safe work practices policies; procedures and specific guidelines for the cleaning and disinfection of work areas, vehicles, and equipment; and engineering controls. The plan then provides information about how respiratory protection is to be provided, how employees are to receive medical screening, what actions must be taken in the event of an exposure incident, and how training and recordkeeping must be performed. Finally, for handy reference, the plan includes lists of ATDs and, among other things, a list of high-risk facilities located in the county.

Key Takeaways: The San Mateo County plan to address respiratory hazards serves as a role model for the development of an aerosol transmissible exposure control plan for other counties in California as well as for many types of healthcare facilities.