Pandemic Help Sources within Canada

by: Irene

Mon Nov 20, 2006 at 13:39:58 PM EST

OSHA Proposed Guidance on PPE Stockpiling

by: Into The Woods

Tue May 19, 2009 at 16:54:55 PM EDT

Jordon Barab, acting assistant secretary of OSHA,
has some intersting things to say in his recent testimony about resources, enforcement and a Proposed Guidance on Workplace Stockpiling of Respirators and Facemasks for Pandemic Influenza.  Full text here:

http://edlabor.house.gov/docum...

OSHA Proposed Guidance on Workplace Stockpiling of Respirators and Facemasks for Pandemic Influenza

http://www.osha.gov/Publicatio...

In testimony before the House Education and Labor Committee Hearing on ensuring preparedness against the flu virus at school and work on May 7, Jordan Barab, acting assistant secretary of OSHA, made three observations:

There are plenty of OSHA resources to help employers protect workers who are at high-risk from the new strain of Influenza A (2009-H1N1) virus.

Because of these resources OSHA expects most healthcare facilities to be fully prepared to provide training, equipment and protection.

OSHA stands prepared to use its existing authority to aggressively enforce safe work practices to ensure employees receive appropriate protection.

Although OSHA has no influenza-specific exposure standard, in appropriate circumstances the agency will use the General Duty Clause "to ensure that employers follow the practices that public health experts agree are necessary to protect workers," Barab said .

http://blogs.hcpro.com/osha/20...

We'll Take Care of Our Own; We Will Have No Choice

by: Into The Woods

Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 21:00:37 PM EDT

We talk about rationing vaccine and anti-virals.  We talk about triage within the health care system and how we can stretch the surge capacity using bubble gum and bailing wire.  But who talks about those left outside the doors of the hosptials and alternative care sites and how they will make do and try to survive?  What is our message to this group that will seriously outnumber the group allowed "inside" - possibly by as much as 10 to 1?

Sustainability, Resilience and Urbanity (The resource number tread)

by: urdar

Tue Mar 20, 2007 at 08:20:07 AM EDT

Reading the whole report will give you many ahas! Regarding many of the issues we regularly discuss here. 
For instance, why is Avian flu a threat to humanity regardless of its pandemic potential? Its because together with herbivore fish, like carps, chickens are able to convert 2 kg of plant protein into 1kg of animal protein. A cow on the other hand needs 7 kg to do the same..

Why is this an issue? We as civilization are on the brink of peak, peak this and peak that..

Tabletop Excercise for School Closure - MN Dept of Health Downloads

by: Into The Woods

Tue Mar 06, 2007 at 15:59:29 PM EST

Imagine that a pandemic flu outbreak is gaining momentum, and the Governor recommends closing schools to prevent the spread. Who announces the closing to parents? Should school staff come in to work and write curricula or plan lessons to be sent to children's homes? Does food service stay open to feed kids on the school lunch program? How do parents keep kids out of class from congregating at the Mall and eliminating all of the disease control benefits?