Requirements for Controlling the Exposure to ATD Pathogens

Workers in healthcare settings, in addition to being exposed to airborne chemicals, have a greater likelihood of being exposed to aerosol transmissible diseases (ATDs). As we learned earlier, ATDs are pathogenic particles or droplets suspended in the air. Some of the methods used for chemical respiratory hazards, such as substitution, do not work for ATDs. The government has not established safe ATD exposure limits for healthcare workers because the level of ATDs in the air cannot be accurately measured. Nevertheless, employers must develop an ATD Exposure Plan that accomplishes the following:

• Minimizes the number of employees exposed to ATDs
• Minimizes the amount of contaminated aerosol in the workplace
• Protects employees for whom exposure cannot be avoided

To learn more about Healthcare Respiratory Protection visit our Cal/OSHA Healthcare Respiratory Protection Safety Online Training web page.