In some workplace settings, employee exposures to certain animals, insects, plant, fungi, bacteria and viruses represent a biological hazard that could have negative health impacts on employees. Some biological hazards include bacteria, fungi, or viruses that cause infections, toxins from molds and plants, and venom from insects and other animals. Health effects from biological hazards range from minor irritation to life-threatening illnesses and conditions.

Assessing for biological hazards in the workplace and implementing precautions as part of your workplace Accident Prevention Program (APP) will help to protect your employees.

Check this page if you need to learn more about Infectious Disease

By Topic

Anthrax

Avian Flu (bird Flu, bird influenza)

Bioterrorism Agents

Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP)

Brucellosis

Campylobacter

Cannabis (Marijuana)

Chickenpox (Varicella)

Coronavirus

Cryptococcus Gattii

Diphtheria

Ebola

E. Coli

Foodborne illness

Hantavirus

Histoplasmosis (from bird or bat droppings)

Hop Dust

Influenza (Flu)

Legionella

Leptospirosis

Listeria

Lyme Disease

Measles (Rubeola)

Meningococcal Disease

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

Molds and Mildew

Mpox (Monkeypox)

Norovirus

Parrot Fever (Psittacosis)

Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

Plague (Yersina Pestis)

Poison Oak & Poison Ivy

Q fever

Rabies

Rat-bite Fever

Rubella

Salmonella

Shigella

Tetanus

Tuberculosis

Tularemia

Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis)

Vector-borne Disease (spread by mosquito, ticks, or fleas)

Venomous animals & insects

West Nile virus

Wood dust

Zika Virus

By Industry By Related Rule

L&I Rules (Washington Administrative Code / WAC)

Washington State Laws

Rulemaking Projects