Pay Administration

Agencies may excuse employees from work without loss of pay or charge to leave for testing and treatment if the employees have been identified as being at risk for exposure to anthrax or other hazardous agents.

Services to test for exposure to anthrax may be provided by the employing agency under 5 U.S.C. 7901. The Federal Employees’ Compensation Act provides for medical treatment of an actual injury or occupational disease. However, if an employee not initially entitled to services to test for exposure to anthrax is identified later as having a “documented exposure” to anthrax or other hazardous agents, he or she will be reimbursed for tests and treatments by the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) or the agency. In addition, preventative care can be authorized by OWCP when there is probable exposure to a known contaminant requiring disease-specific measures against infection. You may obtain information on workers’ compensation benefits at www.dol.gov/esa/owcp_org.htm.