Animals, insects, plant, fungi, bacteria and viruses can be health hazards for workers, ranging from minor dermatitis to life-threatening diseases. Many of these hazards are found in outdoor work. Simple precautions will prevent most harmful effects. If exposure occurs at work, most of the hazards listed (except bloodborne pathogens, tuberculosis and wood dust) are covered by the rule: Protect employees from biological agents – WAC 296-800-11045
Anthrax
Avian Flu (bird Flu, bird influenza)
Hantavirus
Histoplasmosis (from bird or bat droppings)
Lyme Disease
Parrot Fever (Psittacosis)
- OSHA Hazard Information Bulletins Contracting Occupationally Related Psittacosis
- Psittacosis Topic Page (DOH)
Plague
Tularemia
Venomous animals & insects
- CPR Seattle Venomous Snakes
- Venomous Snakes (CDC)
- Bees & Wasps (DOH)
- Bees & Wasps (CDC)
- Spiders (DOH)
West Nile virus
- 2019 West Nile Virus Activity (DOH)
- West Nile Virus (CDC)
- Workplace Precautions Against West Nile Virus (OSHA)
Zika Virus
Poison Oak & Poison Ivy
- Poison Oak Poster (F413-045-000)
Hop Dust
- Hop Dust and Respiratory Disease
- Protect Yourself: Hops and Your Health (English)
- Protect Yourself: Hops and Your Health (Spanish)
Cannabis (Marijuana)
Molds and Mildew
- Preventing Occupational Respiratory Diseases from Exposures Caused by Dampness in Office Buildings, Schools & other Nonindustrial Buildings (NIOSH Alert)
- Mold (CDC)
- Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings Guide (EPA)
- Mold Topic Page (OSHA)
- OSHA Quick Card – Mold
Wood dust
- Wood Dust (NIH)
- Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) – Woodworking eTool
- Wood Dust Fact Sheet (Oregon OSHA)
- DOSH Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for wood dust:
- NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit for Wood Dust
Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis)
- Valley fever is now in Washington State - Employer
- Valley Fever - Worker (English) (Spanish)
- Washington Dept. Of Health – Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis)
- Centers for Disease Control (CDC) – Valley Fever
Cryptococcus gattii
Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP)
Training
Other Resources
- Preventing Exposures to Bloodborne Pathogens among Paramedics (CDC)
- Bloodborne Infectious Diseases: HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C (CDC)
- Bloodborne Pathogens and Needlestick Prevention (OSHA)
Videos
- Bloodborne Pathogens : Always Protect Yourself.
- Bloodborne Pathogens : First Responder / Patogenos transportados por la sangre.
- Bloodborne Pathogens : Just the Facts / Agentes patógenos transportadoa por la sangre : Sólo los hechos.
- Bloodborne Pathogens : Know the Risk / Patógenos de la sangre : Conozca el riesgo.
- Bloodborne Pathogens for Law Enforcement.
- Bloodborne Pathogens in Health Care Facilities.
- Needlestick Injuries - A Nurse's Story (NIOSH video)
Bioterrorism Agents
- Bioterrorism and Terrorism (DOH)
- Bioterrorism (OSHA)
- Bioterrorism (CDC)
- Bioterrorism Agents/Diseases (CDC)
Coronavirus
- Coronavirus/COVID-19 topic page
- DOSH Hazard Alert: Employers will play an important role in controlling the spread of COVID-19
- 2019 Novel Coronavirus - CDC Situation Summary and Resources
- OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Ebola
Tuberculosis
Policies & Guidelines
- Tuberculosis Control in Health-care Settings (DD11.35)
- Prevention and Control of Tuberculosis in Correctional Facilities (DD.136)
- Guidelines for Preventing the Transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Healthcare Settings, 2005 (CDC)
- Prevention and Control of Tuberculosis in Correctional and Detention Facilities, 2006 (CDC)
- Tuberculosis (TB) (CDC)
- Basic TB Facts (CDC)
- Tuberculosis (TB) (DOH)