Cal/OSHA issues monkeypox guidance for employers

Cal/OSHA has issued guidance on monkeypox that applies to workplaces covered by the state’s Aerosol Transmissible Diseases (ATD) standard. This includes health care facilities, medical transport, police and public health services, correctional facilities, and more.

California regulations at Title 8 CCR section 5199 require employers to:

• Implement a written program to prevent or reduce the transmission of aerosol transmissible diseases specific to the workplace and operations.
• Provide and ensure the use of respiratory protection.
• Ensure that personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided and used by employees exposed to persons with or suspected to have monkeypox, or to linens or surfaces that may contain the virus.
• Implement written procedures for exposure incidents.
• Report the exposure to the local health officer.

Cal/OSHA’s ATD standard has differing requirements for three different types of employers:

1. Referring employers,
2. Laboratories, and
3. All other employers.