Flu Safety: Memo for Unions

 

RI Committee on Occupational Safety and Health
 
 Flu safety: memo for unions
KEEP A CLEAR AND STEADY HEAD
 
POINTS to keep in mind as the “Swine Flu” situation evolves.
 
The last several years have produced a lot of work on planning and preparations for biological events on the national, state and local levels.
Here are some items to review calmly with your employer and with local and state health officials. At this point this is the key, calmly review and discuss your facility and local and state pan flu plans or protocols.
 
  •   Review with input from local health officials what do if you or someone is symptomatic.
  •  Antiviral meds distribution. HOW WHEN AND WHERE.
  • Employer policy beyond usual sick-pay, eg: 
    • not quite too sick to work?
    • caring for a febrile relative?
    • exposed to a febrile relative?
 
  • Work shift flexibility and staggering work shifts (reduces the number of workers present at work at any one time to lower exposure risk), Working from home (telecommuting).
  • Travel policy (eliminate unnecessary travel), and Medical removal protection (MRP) program (encourages sick workers to report symptoms and stay home while they are sick).
  • What happens when/if schools are closed? 
  • How will "Must stay home if sick" policies be implemented?
  • How & will 'social distancing' policies affect work?
  • How is travel affected (in general and to at-risk geographic areas) ?
  • How are new policies being made, announced and supported?
HCWS and PUBLIC SAFETY
  • What safety work practices will govern care to potential flu patients?
  •  Respirators (what type?) available, to whom and how often?
More information can be found at: http://www.acoem.org/ohden/pandemic/index.htm
 
 
A similar swine flu outbreak occurred in 1976 in Fort Dix NJ where 230 young recruits were infected. There was no evidence of exposure to hogs; human to human contact was probable.
This resulted in a massive national vaccination program (with monovalent swine influenza vaccine). About a quarter of the entire US population was vaccinated. An epidemic never did occur but the vaccine may have produced neurological complications [Guillian-Barre syndrome].

 

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