The outbreak of the H1N1 virus at the start of 2009 initially left the medical community and the news confused, sending mixed messages of the danger. This left us scratching our heads wondering what to do. It turned out the H1N1 virus did not cause the disaster that the media speculated and it was on the level of the seasonal flu variants in its infection rates and illness severity.

H1N1 is a concern - since it is new, most of us do not have a immunity from previous exposures. It also seems to affect healthy young adults more virulently than normal flu strains.

I thought it would be interesting to put the H1N1 virus through the standard safety practitioners process of hazard reduction. The process is simple and in order of priority:

1. Eliminate Recognized Hazards (Engineering Controls)
2. Apply Administrative Controls
3. Implement Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Using the above as a reference it should be straight forward on what a safety policy should do and say.

To eliminate the hazards you would need to prevent the virus being present in the workplace.

The best option for eliminating the virus is to offer flu shots at the workplace. Currently there is a shortage for the H1N1 virus shots, but the normal seasonal flu vaccine is readily available. This should be a priority for business owners to reduce costs. A sick worker is not producing widgets, and another employee has to pick up the lost production. Though not an apple to apple comparison take a look at our injury cost calculator.

Another engineering control option is ensuring working surfaces are cleaned and disinfected regularly. This includes door handles and restroom facilities. Janitorial staff should be instructed how to properly handle and clean potentially infected materials as a part of a comprehensive Bloodborne Pathogens program.

Administrative controls are things such as reducing the amount of time a worker is in a loud environment, to keep them under a daily exposure level of sound that prevents long term hearing damage. Administrative controls for the flu virus seem limited.

A hybrid Administrative and Engineering method includes having suspected sick employees stay home from work while ill and with fevers, and sending those who are ill home to recover. It is a good idea to get with your Human Resources staff to develop this policy to avoid potential land mines and include visits to doctors for evaluation before returning to work.

If your company offers work from home programs, the employee may be productive. The employee can feel better but still be contagious - working from home offers a way to be on the payroll and protect the workplace at the same time - a win-win all around. This could be a component of a Return to Work Policy.

Lastly, Personal Protective Equipment should be used. I consider hand washing in the PPE category. Researchers have studied hand washing habits and their findings show poor hand washing habits. Signage prompting hand washing in restrooms and break areas should be highly visible. Additionally, hand sanitizers can be offered and made available to employees. Hand sanitizers offer bring additional issues of fire safety, as some are flammable - local building codes and regulations/accreditations further complicate where and how much hand sanitizers can be used.

If you have not previously addressed seasonal flu and illnesses in your safety policy/procedure manual - it is a good time to act with the publicity of H1N1. Update your safety manual, hold toolbox talks, put the information out with emails or in your newsletter - be proactive and Proceed with Confidence.

For more resources visit:

National Safety Council - www.nsc.org - Prevent the Flu in Your Workplace

Center for Disease Control - www.cdc.gov - Novel H1N1 Flu: Facts and Figures

Labels: flu, illness, influenza