Reducing your risk at work

 

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Description of Video content.
  1. H1N1 at Work
    1. Brief intro
      1. Crowded, closed environments like offices and factories a host of opportunities for virus
    2. Risk elements
      1. Being close to someone who is sneezing, coughing
      2. Surfaces, equipment
        1. Virus can survive on surfaces and capable of causing infection for up to many hours
        2. Surfaces that are “high traffic”: photocopier or elevator buttons, telephones, keyboards and desktops provide a home for the virus, towels in kitchen areas.
        3. Shaking hands
    3. Actions we can take
      1. Minimize contact with others
        1. Stay home for until fever is gone for 24 hours without using fever lowering drugs - Tylenol/Ibuprofen. Usually 5 – 8 days.
        2. If you become ill at work, go home as soon as possible.
        3. Stay away from others where possible.
      1. Hygiene
        1. Wash hands with soap and water each time you cough or sneeze
        2. Cover mouth / nose with tissue or us “elbow method” whenever you sneeze or cough
        3. Don’t touch your nose, mouth or eyes in general and especially after you sneeze or cough
        4. Stay 2 arms-lengths away from others when possible
        5. Keep tissues and hand sanitizers in good supply.
        6. Avoid “inspecting” cafeteria food and putting it back on the serving counter.

 

      1. Sanitizers
        1. Shaking hands, touching equipment is unavoidable at times
        2. Good practice to keep alcohol-based hand sanitizers in good supply.
        3. It’s good practice to wipe surfaces such as desks, phones, doorknobs even if cleaning products are not available. The wiping is more important than the cleaner.
      2. Vaccine clinics
        1. Publicize well if available
        2. Ask employer
  1. Summary - Many simple steps to minimize spreading or catching
      1. Stay informed
      2. Practice good hygiene - Hand washing, cleaning/wiping high hand-traffic surfaces particularly important
      3. Maintain 2 arms-length distance from people who are coughing/sneezing or if you think you are sick
      4. Seek and follow medical attention