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Businesses and the Workplace

Infection Control in the Workplace

Employers can minimise the spread of influenza in the workplace by encouraging staff to get vaccinated against the pandemic influenza. In the event of an outbreak employers should promote simple hygiene measures in the workplace and ask staff who have flu-like-symptoms to remain away from work till symptoms have passed.

Staff with influenza like symptoms, who come to work using medicines that mask the infection - by suppressing the symptoms of fever or cough with medication such as paracetamol or pseudoephridrine, are still infectious and may pass the virus to other staff and customers.
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Get free vaccine for staff vaccinations

The pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza vaccine will be free to businesses wanting to provide staff vaccination programs.

While the number of new cases in Australia has slowed they have not stopped, and new cases of infection with the influenza continue to be reported. Also, it is inevitable that some tourists arriving over the summer months will be infected with the virus.

Staff vaccinations will reduce the chances of infections breaking out in workplaces over the summer months and into the 2010 winter. Vaccination is particularly important for staff considering overseas travel.

There are several corporate providers which can manage vaccination programs. These providers can get the free vaccine from local state or territory health departments.

For contact information for your state and territory health department.

General Advice

During the PROTECT phase, workplaces should focus on:

Promoting good hand, respiratory hygiene etiquette and other infection control practices. Download information posters and brochures to help you reduce the spread of influenza in your workplace.
Ensuring that materials needed for hand and respiratory hygiene are readily available in the workplace (e.g. tissues and receptacles for their disposal, soap and hand washing facilities and/or alcohol-based hand sanitizers).
Encouraging and supporting staff members with acute respiratory illnesses to stay at home until they are well (that is until their symptoms have completely resolved).
Encouraging visitors/customers with acute respiratory illness (ARI) to stay away from the workplace until they are well (that is until their symptoms have completely resolved).
Encouraging individuals to assess whether they are in the vulnerable category of increased risk of complications of pandemic (H1N1) 2009.

Staff at increased risk of complications from pandemic (H1N1) 2009

People with existing respiratory disease, diabetes, obesity, immune suppression and pregnant women may be at increased risk of complications from Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 infections. See details on people at increased risk.

Consideration should be given to deploying staff members who fall into one or more of these groups to areas where they are at less risk of exposure to those who may have the infection.
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Customers and visitors

Keeping your distance by standing or sitting back at least one metre from other people will help reduce the chances of spreading the flu virus. If someone has the flu, he or she should be separated from other people, if possible, and wear a surgical mask or face covering if possible.

Information to help you prepare your business

Preparing the workplace

The Australian Government has a range of information to help businesses. Resources for business:

PANDEMIC PLANNING IN THE WORKPLACE 2009 will help employers and employees understand the steps they can take to minimise the impact on their workplace, and to protect staff in their workplace.

Business Continuity Guide and Small Business Kit

The Australian Government Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research has developed a comprehensive Business Continuity Guide and Small Business Kit to help Australian businesses consider what impact a human influenza pandemic might have on their businesses, and to help businesses take appropriate actions to prepare themselves as best they can.

Pandemic Planning in the Workplace (PDF) - developed by the Australian Government, state and territory governments, and the Australian Local Government Association will also assist in preparing your business for a pandemic.

Resources

Online Health Emergency resources are available here and can be accessed and printed for use in your organisation, community or home.
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Plans and Guidelines

Australian Health Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza 2008
Interim Infection Control Guidelines for Pandemic Influenza in Healthcare and Community Settings. Provides guidance for health professionals regarding infection control for healthcare and community settings, in the management of pandemic influenza patients
National Pandemic Health Communications Strategy Overview
Fluborderplan - National Pandemic Influenza Airport Border Operations Plan, July 2008
Exercise Cumpston '06 Report

Business Continuity

Business Continuity Guide for Australian Business - this document aims to help Australian businesses consider what impact a human influenza pandemic might have on their businesses, and to help them take appropriate actions to prepare themselves.
A Kit for Small Businesses - including a Pandemic Planning Checklist for Small Businesses, and 10 steps you can take to be better prepared for a pandemic
Pandemic Planning in the Workplace (PDF) - developed by the Australian Government, state, and territory governments and the Australian Local Government Association
Business Continuity Planning - (Qld Government)
www.who.int/en/ - World Health Organization

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Featured Information

Information material, including other languages and advertising

smartraveller.gov.au

Guidance for cleaners during Pandemic H1N1 2009

Hospitality / Business Counter Notice

Flu Control in the Workplace

Older people and Influenza

Pregnancy and Influenza

People at increased risk of severe outcomes

How it spreads

Symptoms of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza