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.

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