OSHA has recently released several QuikCards and Fact Sheets on Worker Safety and Health Guidance for H1N1 Flu. The following summarizes some of the agency’s suggestions.
During an influenza pandemic, transmission of the pandemic virus can be anticipated in the workplace, not only from patients to workers in healthcare settings, but also from customers and coworkers in general work settings. Employers can use occupational safety and health controls to reduce exposures in their workplaces. Most employers will use a combination of these control methods.
1. Engineering controls are those that involve making changes to the work environment to reduce work-related hazards. Examples include:
- Installing physical barriers, such as clear plastic sneeze guards.
- Installing a drive-through window for customer service.
2. Administrative controls are those that modify workers' work schedules and tasks in ways that minimize their exposure to workplace hazards. Examples include:
- Encouraging ill workers to stay at home without fear of any reprisals.
- Discontinuing nonessential travel to locations having high prevalence of illness.
- Minimizing face-to-face contact between workers by maximizing use of e-mail, websites and teleconferences.
3. Work practices are used to reduce the duration, frequency, or intensity of exposure to a hazard. These controls need to be understood and followed by managers, supervisors, and workers. Examples include:
- Promoting personal hygiene by providing tissues, no-touch trash cans, hand soap, hand sanitizer, disinfectants and disposable towels for workers to clean their work surfaces.
- Encouraging workers to get flu shots as vaccine becomes available.
- Instructing workers on influenza risk factors and instruction on proper behaviors (for example, cough etiquette; avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth; and proper care of PPE).
- Developing procedures to minimize contacts between workers and between workers and clients or customers.
4. Personal protective equipment can keep workers safe while performing their jobs. Examples of PPE include respirators (for example, N95), face shields, goggles and disposable gloves.
Selecting the right combination of controls for your facility can best protect your workers from pandemic influenza.