Airborne infectious respiratory viruses remain a recognized hazard in the workplace. Examples include COVID-19, influenza, and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus). Use the guidance and information on this page to continue to keep your workers safe and healthy.
- What To Do When You Are Sick With COVID-19 or Another Respiratory Virus | Washington State Department of Health (DOH)
- Flu Overview | DOH
- About RSV | CDC
Employers covered by recordkeeping rules must continue to record workplace injuries and illnesses on an OSHA 300 log. The common cold and flu is not considered recordable (see WAC 296-27-01103(2)(h)).
If you have other specific questions on how you can maintain a safe and healthy workplace, contact a DOSH consultant near you.
This information is current as of February 21, 2025
Basic infection control guidance for non-health care workplaces
DOSH recommends that employers continue to assess their workers’ exposure risk and take precautions to prevent airborne transmissible disease spread.
- For health care workers, see the health care section of this page.
- Recommendations for Non-health care employees follow Preventing Respiratory Viruses | Respiratory Illnesses | CDC .
- Employers with workers who voluntarily use respiratory protection must make sure the voluntary use of the respirator does not create a safety or security issue. See voluntary use requirements in WAC 296-800-16080, Voluntary use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- For required respirator use, make sure workers wear appropriate, fit-tested, NIOSH-approved respirators, and follow all requirements for their safe use. Make sure you have a respirator program that meets the requirements in Respirators, Chapter 296-842, WAC.
- DOSH recommends including the risks of disease transmission hazards in the employer’s Accident Prevention Program, or equivalent safety program. See Safety & Health Core Rules, Accident Prevention Program Chapter 296-800 WAC.
- Use gloves to prevent contact with contaminated surfaces.
- Provide hand washing facilities and supplies. DOSH recommends regularly cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.
- Record work-related hospitalizations and fatalities, on the OSHA 300 log. See Workplace Injuries & Fatalities .
- Report work-related hospitalizations and fatalities to DOSH.
Workplace Discrimination & Retaliation
Employees have a right to safe and healthy work environment. The Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Chapter 49.17 prohibits employers from retaliating against employees. Workers have 90 days to file their complaint with L&I DOSH and/or with Federal OSHA. See Discrimination in the Workplace for more information.
This information is current as of November 5, 2025
Controlling the spread of airborne respiratory viruses in health care settings
Airborne respiratory viruses including COVID-19, influenza, and RSV pose a serious hazard in the workplace, particularly for workers in health care settings or other workplaces where health care services are provided. Not only can patients be contagious, but also employees returning to work after an illness can pose a risk.
The following information is designed to help employers of health care workers choose and implement methods to keep their workers safe from the hazards posed by airborne respiratory viruses.
What can employers do?
Employers have discretion under L&I rules to pick and choose the methods they use (i.e. exposure controls) to address these hazards, so long as those methods are both compliant with regulations and sufficiently effective at protecting employees.
The Washington State Department of Health’s (DOH) COVID-19 Infection Prevention in Healthcare Settings web page can help employers meet regulatory requirements such as the L&I air contaminants rule requiring them to evaluate and control exposures to airborne biological hazards.
Employers with questions about which control methods to choose and how to implement them can email: eyeonsafety@lni.wa.gov or request assistance from L&I’s Consultation Program.
Return to work considerations
According to the DOH, individuals with acute viral respiratory infections including COVID-19, influenza, and RSV generally are considered contagious (for the purposes of returning to work) up to 10 days after symptoms first develop or a diagnostic test is positive.
Health care employers may choose to prevent the spread of viral respiratory infections in the workplace by requiring ill workers to stay out of work for the 10 day contagious period. L&I regards this to be an effective administrative exposure control.
Alternatively, health care employers may choose to follow DOH’s Interim Return to Work Guidance for Healthcare Personnel with COVID-19, Influenza, RSV, and Other Acute Viral Respiratory Infections to prevent the spread of airborne respiratory viruses from employees who return to work during the 10 day contagious period. The overall effectiveness of this approach relies upon employees correctly using highly effective source control until the end of the 10 day period.
Best practice for effective source control in this setting is to use a fit-tested NIOSH-approved N95 filtering respirator without an exhalation valve. Employers that rely upon N95 respirators for employee source control during the 10 day contagious period can find more information about complying with relevant safety and health regulations for respirators on our respirators safety & health topic page.
Health Care Resources
- COVID-19 Infection Prevention in Health Care Settings | Washington State Department of Health
- Nursing & Residential Care
- Standard Precautions for Healthcare Activities
What to do when you are sick?
- Preventing Spread of Respiratory Viruses When You're Sick | Respiratory Illnesses (CDC)
- Seasonal Flu vs. Pandemic Flu Infographic | Flu Resource Center (CDC)
Respirator Resources
Ventilation
Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Rules
Accident Prevention Program (APP)
- All industries, except Agriculture: WAC 296-800-140
- Agriculture: Chapter 296-307, WAC Part B
- Some industries have additional requirements. Search Safety & Health rules for all APP requirements
Airborne Contaminants
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- All industries, except Agriculture: WAC 296-800-160
- Agriculture: Chapter 296-307, WAC Part H
- Some industries have additional requirements. Search Safety & Health rules for PPE requirement
Reporting and Notifications
- Recordkeeping and Reporting - Employers covered by recordkeeping rules must record workplace injuries and illnesses (including work-related COVID-19, novel flu, and Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) illnesses) on an OSHA 300 log. Follow the direction in Chapter 296-27 WAC, Recordkeeping and Reporting