Is your workplace safe from Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)? Although this antibiotic-resistant Staph infection occurs most frequently among people in hospitals and healthcare facilities who have weakened immune systems, anybody can become ill when exposed to MRSA. Staph or MRSA infections in the community are usually manifested as skin infections that look like pimples or boils and occur in otherwise healthy people.

Keep your workers healthy with these tips from NIOSH for the prevention of MRSA in the workplace:

• Place importance on worker safety and health protection in the workplace.
• Make available adequate facilities and supplies that encourage workers to practice good hygiene. Also, encourage your workers to:
• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Clean and cover cuts and scrapes with a bandage until healed.
• Avoid contact with other people's wounds or bandages.
• Avoid sharing personal items such as uniforms and personal protective equipment.
• Be sure that routine housekeeping in the workplace is followed.
• Clean contaminated equipment and surfaces with detergent-based cleaners or EPA-registered disinfectants. See EPA's list of EPA-registered products effective against MRSA.

For more information, see NIOSH at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/mrsa/#prev.