제 목 : OSHA Moves Slowly on TB Proposal
일 자 : 1997년 10월
제공처 : Safety + health(OSHA Update)
OSHA Moves Slowly on TB Proposal
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OSHA has a proposal in the worlds that would require protection from
tuberculosis for about 5,000 healthcare workers.
Afrer many months of promising to deliver such a proposed standard,
OSHA at press time again seemed ready to spring it. Sought by
five unions since 1993, the rule would save an estimated 190 lives
and prevent 2,400 active TB cases annually, OSHA estimates.It would
fellow guidelines of the federal Centers for Desease Control and
Prevention, covering hospital, nursing home and other workers who could
be exposed to the disease.
Aconcern is a 1990s "multidrug resistant" TB strain. Though under
better control recently, it is diffcult to treat. Noting a late-1980s
cutback in public funds that led to the current TB resurgence, Gerald W.
McEntee, president of the American Federation of State, County and
Municipal Employees, said in the union's magazine, The Public Employee,
"The cannot afford to ever let ourguard down ...[or] TB will come
back nationwide."
Hospital and nursing-home groups are concerned that an OSHA
standard might be too restrictive,and may include such requirements
as pressurized rooms for each TB patient.
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