Statement from the National Safety Council urging employers with risk of exposure to prepare for Ebola contamination

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Oct 21, 2014, 02:09 ET

ITASCA, Ill., Oct. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Safety Council urges employers in the health care sector, and those most likely to come into contact with the Ebola virus, to prepare staff on the proper protocols of identifying and treating persons affected with the Ebola virus before contamination occurs. Exposure to Ebola is a threat that any workplace could face so employers, particularly those with a high risk of exposure, need to be prepared.

The mission of the National Safety Council is to save lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy.

Employers need to assess their risk of Ebola exposure and assure procedures are in place to effectively control transmission. Training and practice is imperative for all employees who could be exposed to the virus including part-time, temporary and contract workers. Workplace training should include, but not be limited to:

Wearing protective clothing, including masks, gloves, gowns and eye protection
Practicing proper infection control and sterilization measures
Isolating patients with Ebola from other patients
Avoiding direct contact with the bodies of people who have died from Ebola
Notifying health officials if you have had direct contact with the blood or body fluids

Employers must maintain that their protocols for handling and disposing of medical waste are compliant with the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen standard and Department of Transportation Hazardous Materials Regulations. For more information, go to cdc.gov, OSHA.gov and who.int.

About the National Safety Council
Founded in 1913 and chartered by Congress, the National Safety Council, nsc.org, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to save lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy. NSC advances this mission by partnering with businesses, government agencies, elected officials and the public in areas where we can make the most impact – distracted driving, teen driving, workplace safety, prescription drug overdoses and Safe Communities. Safety+Health magazine, the Council's flagship publication, is a leading source of occupational safety and health information.

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SOURCE National Safety Council