Safety Tidbit 3.13 - Influenza

Safety Tidbit 3.13 – Influenza

Reference:   OSHA’s Employer Guidance Reducing All Workers' Exposures to Seasonal Flu Virus

                  NIOSH Influenza in the workplace

Well, flu season is in full swing.  Pandemic flu remains a concern for all employers. A pandemic can occur at any time and can be mild, moderate, or severe. The pandemic in 2009 was considered by CDC to be mild but it still created challenges for employers and showed that many workplaces were not prepared. I recently had a client that said nearly 50% of their workforce was out with the flu.

NIOSH makes four general recommendations to all workplaces:

1. Promote influenza vaccination among workers.

Encourage workers to get the seasonal flu vaccine when it is available.

2. Encourage proper hand and respiratory hygiene practices.

Workers, visitors, and clients should have easy access to supplies such as:        

a.     "No touch" wastebaskets for used tissues;

b.     Soap and water;

c.     Alcohol-based hand rubs;

d.     Disposable towels;

e.     Cleaning and sanitation materials.

3. Educate workers on influenza signs and symptoms.

Train workers about how flu can be transmitted in the workplace and what precautions they can use to prevent transmission.

4. Inform workers about what to do if they get sick.

Encourage sick workers to stay home. The CDC recommends that workers who have a fever and respiratory symptoms stay at home until 24 hours after their fever ends (100 degrees Fahrenheit [37.8 degrees Celsius] or lower), without the use of medication.

Ultimately, the workplace must be kept clean. Frequently clean all commonly touched work surfaces, work areas, and equipment (e.g., telephones, doorknobs, lunch areas, countertops, copiers, etc.). Use the cleaning agents that are usually used in these areas and follow the directions on the label. No additional disinfection beyond routine cleaning is recommended by CDC. Provide disinfectants and disposable towels for workers to use to clean their workspaces and surfaces and to keep work areas clean.

I guess, today during my annual physical, I will get my flu shot. Boy, I hope I don’t get sick.

Hope this was helpful and thanks for reading my Safety Tidbits! Comments and questions are always welcome. ~ Bryan

P.S. If you have an interesting safety or health question please let me know.