Preparing Small Business Workplaces

for Pandemic Flu

Welcome and Introductions

Pandemic Flu Planning Survey

Agenda

• Learn the Facts – What is a Flu Pandemic?

• How the Influenza Virus Spreads

• Public Health Prevention Strategies

• Developing a Preparedness Plan for Yourself and Your Family

• Developing a Preparedness Plan for the Workplace

• Preventing the Spread of Infection in the Workplace

• Be Informed

Objectives

• Discuss what to expect during a flu pandemic

• Identify the differences between seasonal flu and pandemic flu

• Describe how the influenza virus is spread

• Describe what steps can be taken to reduce the spread of flu in the workplace

• Determine what questions to ask about workplace policies, practices, and protocols related to the potential of a flu pandemic occurring

What Is a Flu Pandemic?

Learn the Facts

What Is a Pandemic?

Pandemic – an event in which a disease causing serious illness spreads around the world and affects large numbers of people

What Is Pandemic Flu?

Pandemic Flu– human flu that causes a global outbreak, or pandemic• Little or no immunity in the human

population• Causes serious illness• Spreads quickly and easily person-to-

person worldwide

Differences between Seasonal Flu & Pandemic Flu

Activity

How Contagious Viruses Spread

How Flu Viruses Spread

1.Droplet spread

2.Contact spread

Classifications of Employee Exposure to Pandemic Flu at Work

• Very High Risk

• High Exposure Risk

• Medium Exposure Risk

• Lower Exposure Risk

Public Health Prevention Strategies

Public Health Prevention Strategies

• Isolation– Separating individuals who have the flu from those

who do not

• Quarantine– Separating individuals who have been exposed to

the flu virus from those who have not

• Social Distancing– limiting social (face-to-face) interaction to reduce

exposure to and transmission of a disease.

During a pandemic flu event, what approaches would help control the

spread of pandemic flu?

Safety through Vaccine?

• Scientists are researching flu vaccines.

• If a vaccine is developed for pandemic flu, it may not be available due to challenges with manufacturing and distribution.

Test your Disease Control I.Q.

True or False?

Only the elderly, young children and

people with weakened immune

systems are at increased risk for getting the flu during a flu pandemic.

False

True or False?

Isolation is used to separate people who have been exposed to an infectious

disease from those who have not been exposed to the disease.

False

True or False

Since there’s no vaccine, there’s nothing a person can do to prevent getting

pandemic flu.

False

True or False?

Shaking hands is a primary way in which the influenza virus spreads from person-

to-person.

True

Developing a Preparedness Plan for Yourself and Your

Family

Things to Consider

• How school and daycare closures, smaller workforces and community infrastructure changes could disrupt your family routine

• Individual needs of family members

Make a Kit

• Store at least a 2-week supply of food, water, and supplies at home.

• Check for updates or additional recommendations on www.redcross.org.

Pandemic Flu Planning for Yourself and Your Family

Activity

Developing a Preparedness Plan for the Workplace

Business Continuity Planning

• Employers and employees share responsibility for developing the plan

• Consider the impact of employee absenteeism

• Consider changes to supply and delivery chains

• Identify clear job descriptions during a flu pandemic

• Institute policies that allow or encourage employees to stay home if they are sick

Business Continuity Planning, cont’d.

Provide a healthier workplace by reducing the spread of

pandemic flu by stockpiling

• Soap

• Tissues

• Alcohol-based hand sanitizers

• Cleaning supplies

• Gloves

Business Continuity Planning, cont’d.

• Stockpile materials and supplies you need to continue business operations

• Practice implementing your plan on an ongoing basis

Get Started: Emergency Preparedness Checklist

Activity

Emergency Preparedness Checklist: Instructions

Review sections 2 and 3 and identify those items you believe are most relevant to your

position or role in the company.

Preventing the Spread of Infection in the Workplace

Preventing the Spread of Infection in the Workplace

• Ask employees to stay home if they are sick

• Wash hands frequently

• Make tissues and hand sanitizers available

• Make trash receptacles easily assessable

• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces

What are some of the commonly used or touched items in your

workplaces?

What are some of the lessons you learned as a child that you think will be useful in the event of a flu

pandemic?

Workplace Healthy Habits

• Clean your hands often.

• Cover your coughs and sneezes using a tissue.

• Cough or sneeze into your elbow or arm if you don’t have a tissue.

• Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth.

• Stay away from people who are sick.

• Avoid contact with commonly used items.

• Get a flu shot every Fall.

If someone at work is ill with the flu, what are some actions you can take to prevent the spread of the

flu in the workplace?

Be Informed

Be Informed

• Visit www.pandemicflu.gov− State plans:

www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/states/index.html

• Visit www.redcross.org

• State and local health departments

• Local American Red Cross chapter

Questions?

Thank you!

OSHA Disclaimer

This material was produced under Grant #SH-16618-07-60-F-11 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor.  It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the

U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply

endorsement by the U.S. Government.