I. Introduction
The pandemic caused by the novel H1N1 influenza strain serves as a reminder that an influenza outbreak is a genuine threat requiring plans for preparedness and response. The impact of this outbreak could have significant effects on the health and well being of New Hampshire citizens, and consequently to the State’s workforce. Employers play a key role in protecting employees’ health and safety during an influenza outbreak, as well as in limiting the impact on the economy and society.
To accommodate the lack of or inability to reallocate resources that may occur in an outbreak, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) previously recommended that State agencies, as well as private businesses, develop plans for protecting employees and maintaining operations. Many New Hampshire businesses developed these plans, known as Continuity of Operations Plans (COOPs), at that time. COOPs will help ensure that the essential services provided by the State of New Hampshire and private businesses are maintained with efficiency throughout the H1N1 influenza outbreak.
II. Specific Infection Control Measures
A. Hand and Respiratory Hygiene
Agencies should have available those supplies necessary for maintaining proper hand and respiratory hygiene among employees. This would include:
- Where sinks are available, hand washing soap with access to warm water and disposable towels.
- Conveniently located waterless hand sanitizer (60% alcohol-based hand rub)
- Tissues
- No-touch receptacles for tissue disposal
Businesses may encourage hand washing and employees covering their mouths when coughing or sneezing by placing posters from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Web site throughout their offices. It is best to sneeze and cough into the elbow (rather than into the hand, as many people are used to.) For maximum effect, posters should be placed in highly trafficked, visible areas of the workplace, and also rotated frequently.
B. Environmental Cleaning
In addition to keeping hands clean and covering coughs, agencies may also reduce employees’ health risks by consistently performing and promoting environmental cleaning of commonly used workspaces and surfaces. These include:
- Computer workstations and desks
- Telephones
- Fax machines
- Copiers
- Meeting tables
- Other commonly used items, such as door knobs, handles, refrigerators, water coolers, light switches, faucets, and elevator controls.
For cleaning and disinfecting surfaces from influenza viruses, the CDC recommends using an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered household disinfectant labeled for activity against bacteria and viruses, an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant, or EPA-registered chloring bleach/hypochlorite solutino. Label instructions should always be followed when using any of these disinfectants. If EPA-registered chlorine bleach is not available and a generic (i.e., store brand) chlorine bleach is used, mix 1/4 cup chlorine bleach with 1 gallon of cool water. Agencies may wish to consult their Information Technology (IT) Department to determine the best method for disinfecting keyboards and other parts of a computer workstation.
C. Social Distancing
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend "social distancing" as the basic tool for preventing the spread of influenza in community settings such as workspaces. Methods by which businesses may achieve social distancing are listed here, and may be considered in the case that many workers are becoming sick with influenza like illness:
- Consider allowing some employees to work from home or use telecommuting, where employees can call in to the workplace.
- Limit in-person group meetings. Instead allow for conference calls and videoconferencing.
- Modify layout of workplace to allow more space between employees.
- Extend work hours to accommodate shifts rather than have all employees at work during the same time period.
- Stagger lunch hours and breaks.
The most important intervention is to send people home when they are sick (fever >100 and cough or sore throat) and to advise them not to return to work until their fever has resolved for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications. It is important for businesses to plan how they will function with reduced staff in the setting of influenza since many adults will become ill or will need to care for ill family members.
III. Employee Education and Communication
Consider a sick leave policy that does not penalize sick employees, thereby encouraging employees who have influenza-related symptoms (e.g., fever, headache, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, or upset stomach) to stay home so that they do not infect other employees. Recognize that employees with ill family members may need to stay home to care for them. Work with your employees and their union(s) to address leave, transportation, travel, childcare, absence, and other human resource issues.
IV. Additional Resources
