NATSO Foundation

Minimize Exposure Risks

There are steps every employer can take to reduce the risk of exposure to the H1N1 virus. According to information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, good hygiene is one of the best ways to reduce employees’ exposure to H1N1. Employers can also establish some workplace policies to help reduce the spread of the virus.

The NATSO Foundation has compiled the following tips based on information from the Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

• Encourage sick employees to stay home.
• Encourage workers to receive the seasonal flu and the H1N1 flu vaccine.
• If possible, you may want to advise employees to avoid close contact with customers. This could be difficult in some business settings, such as restaurants, so also advise employees to wash their hands after contact with others.
• Minimize meetings and rely on e-mail, phones and text messages to communicate with staff. You may consider flexible work arrangements, such as telecommuting for office staff or adjustable work hours, where possible.
• Encourage employees to use their own work tools and equipment, such as telephones and computers.
• Require employees to wash their hands frequently with soap and water or with hand sanitizer. Remind them not to touch their noses, mouths, and eyes.
• Clean work surfaces and frequently touched items with disinfectants registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Additional Resources

OSHA Guidelines on Maintaining Operations During a Pandemic:
http://www.osha.gov/Publications/influenza_pandemic.html#maintain_operations

CDC Guidance on Minimizing Germs:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/stopgerms.htm

OSHA Fact Sheet on Protecting Workers:
http://www.osha.gov/Publications/employers-protect-workers-flu-factsheet.html

CDC Information on the H1N1 Vaccine:
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/public/vaccination_qa_pub.htm