|<< Back to Safety and Health Guides Does any OSHA standard
apply to critical incident stress? OSHA has no standards that
apply to the hazards associated with critical incident stress.
However, in the interest of the health and safety of the
emergency responders and workers, the agency recommends that the
following information be shared to help reduce the risks
associated with critical incident stress. What is critical
incident stress? Workers responding to emergency events and or
disasters will see and experience events that will strain their
ability to function. These events, which include having to
witness or experience tragedy, death, serious injuries and
threatening situations are called "Critical Incidents." The
physical and psychological well-being of those experiencing this
stress, as well as their future ability to function through a
prolonged response, will depend upon how they manage this
stress. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder differs from critical
incident stress by lasting longer than four weeks