The Occupational Safety and Health Administration yesterday confirmed plans to issue a compliance directive to ensure uniform procedures when conducting inspections to identify and minimize high-risk occupational exposures to 2009 H1N1 flu. In a statement, the agency said the directive will closely follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's new H1N1 infection control guidance for health care settings. In response to complaints, OSHA said its inspectors will ensure that health care employers implement a hierarchy of controls, and encourage vaccination and other work practices recommended by the CDC. Where N95 respirators are not commercially available, the agency emphasized that an employer will be considered to be in compliance if the employer can show that a good faith effort has been made to acquire respirators. "Where respirators are required to be used, the OSHA Respiratory Protection standard must be followed, including worker training and fit testing," the agency said. When OSHA inspectors determine that a facility has not violated any OSHA requirements but that additional measures could enhance the protection of employees, the agency said it may provide the employer with a Hazard Alert Letter outlining suggested measures to further protect workers.