OSHA has revised its safety and health topic page on legionellosis to include the latest information on preventing, identifying, and controlling Legionella bacteria hazards in workplaces. The page includes updated information from the OSHA Technical Manual chapter on Legionnaires’ disease and the agency’s Legionella eTool. OSHA’s revised page is intended as a resource for employers, healthcare providers, and health and safety professionals who collaborate during work site investigations of legionellosis. Users can find information related to hazard recognition, standards, control and prevention, and outbreak response. Medical information on the signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and medical management of legionellosis is also available.
Legionellosis comprises two distinct diseases caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophila: Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever. Individuals are typically infected by breathing in droplets of water that originate in building water systems contaminated with L. pneumophila. Approximately 10 percent of cases of Legionnaires’ disease are fatal. According to OSHA, approximately 6,000 cases of legionellosis are reported in the U.S. each year. See OSHA’s revised legionellosis page for more information.
Related: The article “The New Age of Legionella” in the June/July 2015 issue of The Synergist discusses the AIHA guidance document Recognition, Evaluation, and Control of Legionella in Building Water Systems.
Legionellosis comprises two distinct diseases caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophila: Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever. Individuals are typically infected by breathing in droplets of water that originate in building water systems contaminated with L. pneumophila. Approximately 10 percent of cases of Legionnaires’ disease are fatal. According to OSHA, approximately 6,000 cases of legionellosis are reported in the U.S. each year. See OSHA’s revised legionellosis page for more information.
Related: The article “The New Age of Legionella” in the June/July 2015 issue of The Synergist discusses the AIHA guidance document Recognition, Evaluation, and Control of Legionella in Building Water Systems.