Anthrax
Risk Reduction Matrix
To help employers determine appropriate work practices and precautions, OSHA has divided workplaces and work operations into three risk zones, according to the likelihood of contamination with anthrax spores and employee exposure to them.
These zones are called the green zone, the yellow zone, and the red zone.
- Green Zone: workplaces where contamination with anthrax spores is unlikely.
- Yellow Zone: workplaces where contamination with anthrax spores is possible.
- Red Zone: workplaces where public health or law enforcement authorities have stated that contamination with anthrax spores has been confirmed or is strongly suspected.
We show these zones within the shape of a pyramid to represent how the risk appears to be distributed. Based on information currently available, contamination with anthrax spores and exposure to the bacterium are unlikely in the vast majority of American workplaces, represented by the green zone.
Making Informed Decisions
This matrix is intended to help employers understand how to assess the risk of exposure to anthrax spores in their workplaces and to make the necessary decisions to successfully protect their workers from this exposure. The level of risk in any particular workplace is based upon factors such as:
- current patterns of workplaces contaminated with anthrax spores;
- the likelihood of the workplace being a target for Bacillus Anthracis contamination;
- the proximity of a workplace or workstation to areas known to be contaminated with anthrax spores;
- the likelihood of the workplace receiving mail or other items from a contaminated facility;
- any information provided by law enforcement or public health officials about the workplace's risk of receiving contaminated items;
- the amount of mail the workplace receives;
- the type of workplace (for example, a post office, bulk mail center, or public or private mail room where cross-contamination might be possible);
- the potential that workplace operations and tasks could result in exposure if contaminated mail is received;
- the use of high speed mail handling equipment, or other processes that might aerosolize anthrax spores during processing; or
- any other information or analysis that would indicate the workplace might be contaminated with anthrax spores.
Visit OSHA's Anthrax Webpage for more information.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
5-3. In OSHA's risk reduction matrix, which zone signifies workplaces where contamination with anthrax spores is possible?
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