The nation and the world face the risk of a potentially deadly influenza pandemic. Although media attention is focused on the deadly avian flu virus (H5N1) that is spreading in Asia, Europe and Africa through migratory and domestic birds, experts believe the world is overdue for an influenza pandemic of some sort—and we need to be prepared.

Scientific predictions of an avian or other type of flu pandemic emerged several years ago—yet it was only early this year the Bush administration released a “Pandemic Influenza Plan.” But the plan contains no comprehensive strategy for protecting front-line workers. The AFL-CIO has been urging the Bush administration to create comprehensive plans to protect such workers as health care employees and those in the poultry industry in case of an outbreak.

• Read comments the AFL-CIO submitted to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Draft Revised Interim Public Health Guidance on the Use of Surgical Masks and Respirators by Health Care Personnel and Members of the Public During an Influenza Pandemic (PDF).

Fact Sheets

• Basic facts about pandemic flu.
• Worker protection and infection control.
• Respirators: One way of protecting workers.
• Infection control for health care workers.
• How unions can prepare the workplace for pandemic flu.

Lessons from SARS

The health care workers' experience with the SARS virus in Canada has great relevance to what we are likely to face with pandemic flu. Read the SARS Commision's final report to learn about the importance of using the precautionary approach for protecting health care workers; the importance of implementing infection control procedures; the necessity for health care facilities to plan for major events such as SARS in advance; and the need for regulations to protect workers from infectious agents.

See especially Chapter 8 in Volume 3 in the commission's report for issues involving mode of transmission and respiratory protection and the importance of providing the most protective measures for health care workers when there is uncertainty about risk that is much like what we will face with pandemic flu. Also take a look at the recommendations in Chapter 9, Volume 3, for a comprehensive set of approaches that must be in place to address an outbreak of SARS that should likewise be in place when an influenza pandemic arises.

Protecting First Responders

In the event of an outbreak, health care workers, firefighters, police officers, emergency service workers and other first responders will be on the front lines of responding to this emergency. If and when an outbreak occurs, it is imperative that the necessary resources and equipment are immediately available to protect first responders from the deadly virus.

AFSCME, which represents public-sector employees at the state and local levels and health care workers, together with the AFL-CIO and other affiliated unions, have petitioned the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for an emergency temporary standard to protect health care workers, emergency responders and others at risk on the job.

• Read more about the petition.
• Read the AFL-CIO Executive Council statement on Emergency Action Needed to Protect Health Care Workers and First Responders from Pandemic Flu.
• Read frequently asked questions about influenza at the AFSCME website.

Find out about avian flu and influenza pandemics.

• Read an OSHA fact sheet on avian flu.

Health Care Workers

• Read the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for infection control in facilities treating infected patients.
• Read World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for health care facilities.
• The Department of Veterans Affairs has released an excellent pandemic plan with good worker protection measures. Download the Veterans Affairs Pandemic Influenza Plan (PDF).
• Read the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Revised Interim Guidance on Planning for the Use of Surgical Masks and Respirators in Health Care Settings during an Influenza Pandemic (October 2006).

Emergency Responders

• Read the Fire Fighters Informational Bulletin for Emergency Responders.
• Read the IAFF online learning module on avian flu and influenza pandemics.
• Download the IAFF Influenza Pandemic Checklist (PDF). 

Poultry Workers

In rare cases, the avian influenza virus may “jump” to poultry workers who have been in contact with infected birds or contaminated surfaces. 

• Read the OSHA fact sheet on protecting at-risk poultry workers.
• Read the CDC guidelines for workers participating in eradication of infected birds.
• Read a U.S. Department of Agriculture directive on protecting workers who are involved in avian influenza control and eradication activities (PDF).

Airline Flight Crews

• Read an article on avian flu from the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA.

Postal Workers

• Read the informational page on avian flu from the Postal Workers.

Sheet Metal Workers

• Read the Sheet Metal Workers fact sheet on avian flu and other biological agents (PDF).

Legislation

Important legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives addresses problems in the Department of Health and Human Services Pandemic Influenza Plan. 

• Download a copy of H.R. 4603, which includes important language to protect health care workers and first responders (PDF). 
• Read a bipartisan letter from more than 70 congressional members calling upon OSHA and Health and Human Services to protect health care workers in the event of a pandemic.