WASHINGTON, DC-The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a Hazard Information Bulletin to help employers implement a Lyme disease protection program. Transmitted by ticks, Lyme disease can cause chronic arthritis, heart disease, and neurological disorders. Following the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control, the bulletin suggests people wear long-sleeve clothing and pants to protect their skin from ticks. It also recommends the use of insect repellants and vaccinations. The areas with the highest risk for Lyme disease in the US are in the northeast from Massachusetts to Maryland and the north-central region including Wisconsin and Minnesota. Outdoor workers in the northern pacific-coastal area of California are also at great risk.
The bulletin and a fact sheet can be found at the OSHA website, www.osha.gov.
