The Occupational Safety and Health Administration today issued guidance to field staff conducting inspections to minimize high-risk occupational exposures to the 2009 H1N1 flu virus in health care and other 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 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "The CDC recommends the use of respiratory protection that is at least as protective as a fit-tested disposable N95 respirator for health care personnel who are in close contact (within 6 feet) with patients who have suspected or confirmed 2009 H1N1 influenza," OSHA said. "Where respirators are not commercially available, an employer will be considered to be in compliance if the employer can show a good faith effort has been made to acquire respirators." The CDC last month updated its H1N1 infection control guidance for health care settings, including the protection of health care personnel. The AHA is reviewing the OSHA directive.