Protecting Workers in Our Community
Occupational medicine focuses on the prevention of work-related injuries and illnesses. Meadville Medical Center’s providers at Meadville Workplace Health, located in One Vernon Place, address these issues and concerns. We are pleased to offer excellent care for workers in Crawford County and greater northwest Pennsylvania. Our goal is to assist workers to ensure safety and wellness in the workplace.
Our Workplace Health Program
- Injury prevention
- Workplace safety
- Medical monitoring and surveillance
- Workplace wellness
Our workplace wellness program at MMC also encompasses the diagnosis and treatment of occupational toxicological exposures as well as illnesses and injuries that occur on the job. Our workplace health team at MMC is pleased to offer our patients excellent care, ensuring long-term health and wellness in and out of the workplace.
Measles Guidance for Non-Healthcare Employers
Meadville Medical Center is committed to supporting the health and safety of employers, employees, and the broader community. The following guidance is intended for non-healthcare employers, including manufacturing facilities, offices, retail businesses, schools, and other workplaces, when a potential measles exposure is identified.
1. Contact Pennsylvania Department of Health for Guidance
If an employee or visitor with confirmed or suspected measles may have exposed others in the workplace, employers are encouraged to contact Pennsylvania Department of Health for guidance regarding potential exposure, symptoms, vaccination status, and appropriate next steps: 877-PA-HEALTH (877-724-3258).
Employers should be prepared to provide the date and time of the potential exposure, the areas involved, and the approximate number of individuals who may have been present.
MMC can help employers understand the potential risks. Public health reporting and decisions regarding formal contact tracing, mandatory exclusion, or other public health measures will be coordinated with the appropriate health department.
2. Identify Potentially Exposed Employees
Employers should identify employees, contractors, and other individuals who may have been present during the potential exposure period. Measles is highly contagious and can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infectious individual leaves an area.
Because transmission can occur through shared airspace, employers should not limit their assessment solely to individuals who had direct contact with the affected person.
3. Review Vaccination and Immunity Status
Employees should review their vaccination records and other documentation of immunity. Two documented doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine provide strong protection against measles.
Employees who are unvaccinated, have uncertain immunity, or believe they may have been exposed should promptly contact their healthcare provider and seek guidance from the appropriate public health authority.
When exposure is recent, timely medical evaluation is important because post-exposure prophylaxis may be beneficial in certain circumstances.
4. Monitor for Symptoms
Employees who may have been exposed should monitor for symptoms for up to 21 days after their last exposure, or for a different period if directed by public health officials.
Symptoms may include:
- Fever, which can become high
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red or watery eyes
- A rash that typically begins on the face and spreads downward
Employees who develop symptoms should remain at home, avoid contact with others, and telephone their healthcare provider before seeking medical attention. They should explain that they may have been exposed to measles so appropriate precautions can be taken.
5. Determine Whether Work Restrictions Are Necessary
Work restrictions should be based on the individual’s exposure circumstances, evidence of immunity, applicable public health guidance, and any specific workplace requirements.
Employees with documented immunity can generally continue working unless otherwise directed. Employees without evidence of immunity may require additional assessment and temporary exclusion from work.
Employers should consult PA Department of Health before implementing exclusion decisions in a confirmed exposure situation. Healthcare-worker exclusion requirements should not automatically be applied to all non-healthcare employees.
6. Communicate With Employees
Employers should provide timely, factual information to potentially affected employees. Communications should explain the date and location of the potential exposure, symptoms to monitor, the importance of reviewing vaccination records, and where to seek additional guidance.
When individual notification is not possible, employers should discuss with PA Department of Health whether a broader workplace notice is appropriate.
Employee privacy should be maintained, and identifying medical information should not be disclosed unnecessarily.
7. Cleaning and Workplace Operations
Employers should follow appropriate routine cleaning procedures and use suitable disinfectants when needed. Because measles is primarily transmitted through the air, cleaning surfaces alone is not sufficient to prevent transmission.
A potential exposure does not automatically require workplace closure. Decisions regarding continued operations, temporary restrictions, or additional precautions should be based on the circumstances and appropriate medical and public health guidance.
8. Contact Information
Employers seeking guidance may contact the PA Department of Health: 877-PA-HEALTH (877-724-3258).
For formal public health reporting, contact tracing, and public health directives, employers should also coordinate with the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
The goal is to identify potential exposures promptly, protect employees, minimize further transmission, and maintain safe workplace operations whenever possible.
Occupational Medicine Location
