SAN RAMON, Calif., Aug. 20 HRI, a San Francisco bay area based provider of outsourced human resources services, is leading the way in helping California healthcare employers comply with the new Aerosol Transmissible Disease (ATD) Standard, which went into effect August 5th.
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California is the first state to adopt a workplace standard protecting workers from exposure to infectious airborne diseases, including the H1N1 flu. It requires medical facilities implement and maintain programs for infection control, source control, screening and referral, communications, transmission, medical services, and training.
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Employers who fail to meet the ATD Standard risk: Cal/OSHA fines upwards of $25,000; workers' comp. increases; criminal homicide charges; legal fees and civil fines should an employee die from an airborne illness.
Ted Schwartz, HRI's Safety and Training Manager, believes "The ATD Standard will create a perfect storm for healthcare providers. During a normal flu season, the healthcare system is already stretched. Now, with the H1N1 virus and these new ATD requirements, healthcare employers will be taxed to capacity trying to keep employees, workplaces, and businesses safe."
HRI was the first company in the Bay Area to create a program specifically addressing ATD legal requirements. The law was added to the California Code of Regulations as Title 8, section 5199, on July 7th, leaving little time for employers to read -- much less -- implement its 48 pages of regulations.
"Our clients are understandably stressed by the additional burden this places on them," observed Deisy Bach, President and CEO of HRI. "The administration and resources required to meet the demands of this new law seem almost insurmountable, especially in today's economy. That's why it was important for us to develop tools that simplify and minimize the effort and expense needed to comply with this new law."
In addition to healthcare providers, ATD affects laboratories, emergency medical services, homeless shelters, and correctional facilities. A separate zoonotic disease standard, protecting employees who work with animals, was also enacted, affecting veterinarians, farms, zoos, pet stores, boarding facilities, and processing plants.
About HRI
HRI's human resources, OSHA, safety, training, recruiting and strategic business development services support clients across all industries with HR expertise tailored to companies in any stage of development. For more information about HRI and the new ATD Standard, visit HRIdeas.com/ATD or call 925.556.4404.
SOURCE HRI
