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Best Practice Guideline for the Workplace During Pandemic Influenza

This guideline outlines best practices for ensuring occupational health and safety during a pandemic influenza, such as H1N1 (Human Swine Flu). It covers hazard assessment, control measures, emergency response plans, and employment standards.

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Best Practice Guideline for the Workplace During Pandemic Influenza

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  1. Best Practice Guideline for the Workplace During Pandemic Influenza Occupational Health and Safety Employment Standards

  2. Outline • What is pandemic influenza? • H1N1 (Human Swine Flu) current Pandemic Influenza • Using the document for Pandemic influenza-OHS questions • Using the document for Pandemic influenza-ES questions

  3. What is Pandemic Influenza? • Pandemic is a worldwide outbreak of a communicable disease that affects a large proportion of the population • Influenza is an infection of the lungs and airways caused by an influenza virus • Pandemic influenza occurs when a new influenza A virus spreads easily from human to human • no one has any previous immunity

  4. Pandemic Influenza A Short History Lesson Spanish influenza (H1N1) 1918 -1919 Severe pandemic influenza Asian influenza (H2N2) 1957 – 1958 Moderate pandemic influenza Hong Kong influenza (H3N2) 1968 - 1969 Mild pandemic influenza Human Swine Influenza (H1N1) 2009 – Mild pandemic influenza?

  5. Pandemic Influenza: Basics • Will last 12-18 months • 2-3 waves of 6-8 weeks each • Course of illness (without complications) • Expected 5-7 days ~ 10 days • Infectious period • Low for 24 hours before start of symptoms • Higher for 5-7 days after symptomatic due to cough, etc. ~ 1-10 days • Work absenteeism • 25% for 1-2 week peak (Moderate)

  6. H1N1 – Human Swine Flu First Wave • Spring 2009 – Novel virus H1N1 • Rapid worldwide spread • Generally mild illness • Early findings – Children & Mortality in at-risk groups • Now – vulnerable populations, pregnant, working age population

  7. H1N1 – 2009 The Second Wave? • Previous pandemics started mild in first wave • H1N1 – 2009 followed previous patterns of emerging novel influenza virus • Virus – “the boss”

  8. Best Practice Guideline for the Workplace During Pandemic Influenza • Hazard assessment and control • Regular hazard assessment • Planning for potential health and safety issues • Reassessing during pandemic influenza • Responding to actual health and safety issues • Emergency plan • Employment Standards • Includes some workplace business continuity ideas

  9. Pandemic Influenza and the Workplace - OHS • New biological hazard in the workplace • Workplace hazard assessment/reassessment • Pandemic influenza virus • Shortages in operational and safety critical functions due to anticipated increased absenteeism

  10. Transmission of the virus • Droplet • Contaminated • surface • Example • Touch source • & own mouth • Susceptible • individual

  11. Hazard Assessment and Control • Step 1 – List types of work and work-related activities

  12. Step 1 Page 12

  13. Hazard Assessment and Control • Step 2 – Identify the hazard • Sources of the hazard • Potential routes of transmission • Routes of entry

  14. What Surfaces are Most Likely to be Contaminated in your Workplace?

  15. Hazard Assessment and Control • Step 3 – Assess the hazards • Review and identify potential sources of worker exposures • Review and identify shortages in operational and safety critical areas due to absenteeism • Other potential hazards

  16. Hazard Assessment and Control • Step 4 – Implement controls

  17. Page 24 Page 25 Page 26

  18. Hazard Assessment and Control • Step 5 – Communicate the information to workers and provide training

  19. Hazard Assessment and Control • Step 6 – Evaluate effectiveness of controls

  20. Emergency Response Plan • Assess risks to workers and organization • Set priorities based on organizational and safety critical functions • Establish plans to control exposures • Build a foundation • Establish and communicate policies for absenteeism • Plan succession options and cross-train • Define and communicate chain of command • Plan communication strategies • Review policies

  21. First Aid • Minimum – legislative requirements • In the event of pandemic influenza some workers may come to work ill • Process in place – record keeping, sending for medical services • Availability of medical and emergency services may differ from normal • Plan for changes that may be needed to maintain routine first aid requirements

  22. Employment Standards during Pandemic Influenza Impact of Minimum Standards • Attendance/absence • Paying earnings • Layoffs

  23. Employment Standards during Pandemic Influenza H1N1 Mexico Spring 2009 • Government ordered closures of: • Schools • Restaurants • Prohibited public gatherings • Urged regular and frequent hand washing • Urged everyone to avoid physical contact

  24. Employment Standards during Pandemic Influenza Strategies • Attendance and absence • Paying earnings • Layoffs

  25. Job Protection during Pandemic Influenza The Public Health Act prohibits discrimination and termination for absence when an employee is away because: • They are being forced to accept treatment • They are detained for treatment • They are conscripted to meet an emergency • They are sick or caring for sick family member

  26. Conclusion • Best Practice Document • Guideline for Workplace OHS & ES • Hard copy and electronic version available for distribution

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