Flu viruses are usually spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes (© BananaStock / Thinkstock)-
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By Lila Havens
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Cold and flu season is here. It might be tempting to crawl in a hole until it passes, but most people have to work. And unless you're sick, staying home from work is neither smart nor practical.
A little knowledge and some common sense practices can help keep businesses up and running.
Stopping the spread of illness at work
First, it helps to know how viruses like the flu spread:
- Flu viruses are usually spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Infected droplets can land on a person or surface within six feet.
- You can pick up a virus by touching something with the virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.
- Flu germs can live for a few hours on surfaces like phones, desks, counters, tables and doorknobs.
Armed with these facts, here are some ways to avoid getting sick and combat the spread of viruses at work:
- Wash your hands often. To get your hands clean, you need to soap your hands and rub them together under warm water for at least 20 seconds.
- Use an alcohol-based hand gel when you're not near a sink. Place a small amount between your palms and rub it all over your hands and fingers until your hands are dry.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes. Use a tissue if possible or if not, use the crook of your arm. Always clean your hands afterward.
- Wipe down your work area with disinfectant wipes at least once a day. This includes your phone, computer keyboard, mouse and chair arms.
- Avoid using other people's phone, computer and other tools and equipment.
What employers can do
If you run a business, you can take steps to minimize the impact of illness in your workplace. In general, you can promote good hygiene if you:
- Encourage your workers to stay home if they're sick.
- Educate workers about flu prevention steps, such as washing hands often, minimizing close contact and covering coughs and sneezes.
- Post signs about proper hand washing near sinks.
- Place bottles of alcohol-based hand rub around the work site if no sinks are available.
- Provide liquid soap, paper towels, tissues and surface disinfectants, and encourage their use.
- Place trash cans where people can easily dispose of tissues and paper towels.
- See that common areas such as restrooms and kitchens are cleaned and disinfected regularly.
- Ask any sick workers to go home.
- Encourage employees to get vaccinated against the flu. This year, the flu shot will protect against the seasonal and swine flu. Experts recommend that everyone 6 months of age and older get the flu vaccine.
It's also important to have an emergency plan in place in case the flu becomes widespread in your area. Create this plan with your employees and review it often. Examples of situations to plan for include:
- How will business continue if many employees are out sick?
- What will you do if parents need to take care of their children or other sick family members?
SOURCES:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC guidance for businesses and employers to plan and respond to the 2009-2010 influenza season. Accessed: 08/23/2010
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Stopping the spread of germs at work. Accessed: 08/23/2010
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2010. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2010;59:1-62.
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Guidance on preparing workplaces for an influenza pandemic. OSHA 3327-02N 2007. Accessed: 08/23/2010
View the original Avoiding illness at work article on myOptumHealth.com
