OSHA Guidelines for MRSA

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, commonly referred to as MRSA, is a drug resistant micro-organism. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides guidelines and regulation in regards to MRSA, pronounced mersa, to prevent the spread among workers in the healthcare workers. Due to the drug resistant nature of the bacteria, a MRSA infection can pose a particularly serious health threat.

MRSA OSHA Guidelines

• OSHA provides information and guidelines for people in the healthcare industry, prisons, veterinarians and pig farmers in dealing with MRSA. OSHA states the number of people infected with the bacteria has been increasing since about 1975.

  The OSHA regulations apply to any worker exposed to blood or other infectious materials on the job. The employer is responsible for communicating the hazards and the precautions to the employee.

  OSHA standards require employers to provide hot and cold water, along with soap, for employees to wash their hands with. Either cloth or paper hand towels, or warm air blowers, are required.

  Employers are also required to provide personal protective equipment, sometimes referred to as PPE, if an employee will come in contact with an infected person or contaminated object. The PPE may include gloves, masks and eye protection.

  Employers are also required to report any incident related to MRSA involving an employee. An incident would be reportable if exposure to MRSA occurred at the workplace and either caused or contributed to an illness.

  Employees with a MSRA infection are allowed to continue to work unless there is pus drainage from the wound. Individuals with a MSRA infection are urged to consult with a doctor for treatment and recommendations about returning to work.

  Workers can clean contaminated equipment with EPA approved disinfectants. OSHA says this is effective at eliminating MSRA from the workplace. Workers are urged to keep themselves and their workplace clean, avoid crowding and skin-to-skin contact with co-workers and avoid contact with wounds of other people.