California OSHA Standards Board Adopts Aerosol Transmissible (Infectious Disease) Standard

This afternoon, the Cal OSHA Standards Board unanimously approved (6-0 vote) adoption of a Cal OSHA Aerosol Transmissible Disease (ATD) Standard.

This is the nation’s first workplace standard designed to protect workers from airborne transmitted diseases such H1N1 (Swine) Flu, tuberculosis, and SARS.

As part of a multi-union effort, in coordination with CWA District 9 Headquarters, representatives from Local 9509 and 9511 testified in support of this historic decision.

The California OSHA Standards Board will meet in July to determine specifics reference the implementation of the standard. Meanwhile, in coordination with the AFL-CIO Occupational Safety and Health Department, CWA and other unions will  be encouraging federal OSHA to take similar action.