CA AB2272

Division of Occupational Safety and Health must convene an advisory committee by June 1, 2017 to develop regulations requiring health facilities to evacuate surgical plume using plume scavenging systems in all settings where plume-generating techniques are employed

Division must submit proposed regulation to the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board by June 1, 2018, and the board must adopt the regulation by July 1, 2019

Regulation development must evaluate ISO 16571 and CSA Z305.13-13 standards as benchmarks and consider federal OSHA and NIOSH recommendations; must include mandatory worker training on plume hazards and proper equipment use

Compliance with general room ventilation standards or use of surgical masks does not satisfy plume protection requirements; respirators only permitted when plume scavenging systems cannot be effectively positioned due to medical necessity

Plume scavenging system manufacturers must provide evidence that systems meet minimum requirements when installed, operated, and maintained according to manufacturer instructions