2015 APHA Annual Meeting & Expo

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Recorded Annual Meeting Presentations (RAMP) are now available for purchase.
Only $90 for presenters, $140 for registered attendees and $200 for non-attendees.

Online Program

329044
Training for Ebola Exposures and Basic Infection Protection for Airline Workers


Monday, November 2, 2015 : 10:46 a.m. - 11:02 a.m.

Mark Catlin, BS, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Washington, DC
Audio (mp3) recording Recorded Presentation (mp4)
The emergence of Ebola Virus Disease in Africa and a travel related case in the United States highlighted the risk of infectious disease transmission in the travel industry, particularly on aircraft.  The threat of contracting an infectious disease on an airplane is a recognized workplace hazard for many in the airline industry. To address the concerns of airport cabin cleaners, terminal cleaners, wheelchair attendants, and other airport workers, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) developed an awareness training for infectious disease protection, including guidance for Ebola.

Airline cabin cleaning crews routinely face the risk of needle stick injury, exposure to bodily fluids and harsh chemical cleaners with limited if any protection. The SEIU Education & Support Fund HazMat Training Project, in conjunction with SEIU local unions at LaGuardia and Seattle-Tacoma International Airports, began offering this course on biosafety protection for interested workers.  While employers bear the burden of protecting workers, additional concerns related to Ebola exposure created the demand for this course. The course aims to help employees identify suspect disease hazards and to protect themselves against exposure and spread of infectious diseases at airports. Course materials include International and domestic aviation guidance, CDC recommendations, OSHA regulations and best practices identified by SEIU.

This presentation will describe the risks of exposure to biological material faced by airport workers and the need for routine biosafety measures and additional precautions for Ebola. Discussion of recommended protections will be included along with a description of the barriers to enacting these precautions as identified by trainees.

Learning Areas:

Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Occupational health and safety
Protection of the public in relation to communicable diseases including prevention or control

Learning Objectives:
Identify three biological hazards faced by airline workers List basic PPE suggested for airline workers Describe barriers to PPE use by airline workers

Keyword(s): Occupational Health and Safety, Training

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Mark Catlin is an Industrial Hygienist currently working for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) in Washington, D.C., primarily on healthcare safety and health issues. He’s worked on a wide range of occupational and environmental health issues since 1981 for organized labor, COSH groups, an occupational medicine clinic and a private consulting firm.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3173.0: Protecting workers from biological threats: Ebola as a driver for biosafety training in the US