Biosafety and infectious disease occupational health training from the NIEHS Worker Training Program: A historical look at capacity building that supported a COVID-19 response

Eric Persaud, DrPH, MEA; Deborah Weinstock, MS; Demia S. Wright, MPH

doi:10.5055/jem.0663

Authors

Eric Persaud, DrPH, MEA https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4577-7975
Deborah Weinstock, MS
Demia S. Wright, MPH https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5895-702X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.0663

Keywords:

pandemic, COVID-19, biosafety

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that large segments of the workforce–many of which were not previously considered or valued–are needed to keep the economy moving and critical societal functions going. From first responders to bus drivers, this expanded essential workforce needed training to build a solid knowledge of infectious disease protection practices. However, most workplaces had no existing plan or training for infectious disease exposure control. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Worker Training Program (WTP) was able to immediately respond with health and safety curricula, resources, and course delivery based on decades of building capacity for disaster and infectious disease response.

Author Biographies

Eric Persaud, DrPH, MEA

Contractor, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland

Deborah Weinstock, MS

MDB Inc, Washington, DC

Demia S. Wright, MPH

Worker Training Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina

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