Best Practice Recommendations

Deb recommends employers should:

• Set up pandemic action teams.
• Create business contingency plans.
• Promote general hygiene and hand hygiene in particular, in the workplace.
• Position hand sanitisers at entry points (e.g. receptions) into the workplace for employees, customers and visitors.
• Provide appropriate facilities for hand washing in washrooms and hand sanitising away from washrooms.
• Give clear advice to employees about what to do if they have flu like symptoms.
• Give clear advice to employees who have children or other family members they care for, who may have influenza (including H1N1 swine flu).

Deb recommends employees should:

• Keep up to date with public health advice:
  • Check websites such as the CDC, WHO and Department of Health as they will be updated regularly as information becomes available.
  • Ask your employer for advice to help prevent the spread of germs in your workplace.
• Take everyday actions to stay healthy
  • Sneeze or cough in to sleeve/elbow, or cover your nose and mouth with a tissue. Throw the tissue in the bin after you use it.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze and when visiting the bathroom.
  • Alcohol-based hand sanitisers should be used where there is no convenient access to hand washing facilities e.g. at your desk or work station and when on-the-move.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth to help prevent the spread of germs.
  • Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
  • Health authorities recommend you stay at home if you are sick for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to avoid infecting others and spreading the virus further.
  • Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.