Anthrax and Building Security
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - www.cdc.gov
The CDC has been addressing the anthrax exposure response for the federal government. The CDC has been following the cases of contamination, issued guidelines for antibiotic treatment for potentially exposed workers, and also for protecting employees from potential exposure.
Office of Personnel Management (OPM) - www.opm.gov
OPM's Post-Disaster Guidance and Other Information page contains information on anthrax, including the CDC health advisories which have served as OPM guidelines for handling mail and treating potentially exposed employees; handling employee leave following the terrorist attacks, during the anthrax scare, and while on military duty. It also addresses issues such as hazardous duty pay, employee benefits, and tele-work options. There is a web portal for information that can help federal managers respond to the terrorist attacks, which is useful for local unions as well.
General Services Administration (GSA) - www.healthfinder.gov/FindServices
The GSA's web site contains information on building security, emergency preparedness (on the Federal Protective Service page) and dealing with potentially anthrax-contaminated mail. There is also information on GSA's training for dealing with anthrax.
National Library of Medicine - www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/biodefense.html
For even more scientific information on anthrax, you can go to National Library of Medicine's MEDLINEplus for daily updates on anthrax and other bioterrorism concerns.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - www.epa.gov
EPA has been in charge of the environmental testing and decontamination of the American Media Inc. offices, where the first cases of anthrax contamination and illness were reported. Since the beginning EPA has been monitoring levels of asbestos, lead and other hazardous materials at the World Trade Center site. EPA has also been involved in testing federal facilities for anthrax and will oversee the decontamination of federal mailrooms that test positive for anthrax contamination.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - www.osha.gov/bioterrorism/
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been helping to protect the health and safety of workers involved in rescue efforts at the World Trade Center disaster site. OSHA has been providing respirators and other personal protective equipment and training to rescue workers, monitoring worker exposures, and environmental air sampling. OSHA recently issued a Workplace Exposure Guidance to help employers and workers determine the level of risk in their mail handling operations and the appropriate response.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - www.fema.gov
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has information on emergency preparedness and also offers several courses.
Worker Education and Training Program - www.niehs.nih.gov/careers/hazmat/about_wetp/index.cfm
The Worker Education and Training Program of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences has information on chemical and biological warfare occupational health and safety issues. There is also information on worker safety issues at the World Trade Center.
United States Postal Service (USPS) - about.usps.com/newsroom
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has several press releases with information on handling mail and suspicious packages.
American Postal Workers' Union - www.apwu.org
The American Postal Workers' Union has updates on how the union and the USPS are addressing anthrax, contaminated postal facilities, and exposed employees.
National Association of Letter Carriers - www.nalc.org
The National Association of Letter Carriers has guidance for workers to help them deal with the anthrax scare.
AFL-CIO - wwww.aflcio.org
The Safety and Health Department of the AFL-CIO has been working with affiliates to protect workers involved in the rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero. The department is also working to ensure that the occupational exposures of workers are addressed in addition to the public health response to the anthrax threat.
FirstGov - www.firstgov.com
All federal agencies can be accessed through firstgov.com. In addition to your own employing agency, check out other agencies for information on dealing with bioterrorism, building security, and employee protection.
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