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All employers must take responsibility for flu prevention
3 May 2009.
Businesses across Victoria must take responsibility for the health of their staff by having hand washing protocols in place, according to AMA Victoria.
AMA Victoria President Dr Doug Travis said, "My message to all businesses - private, government and not for profit - is that you must ensure that your staff are encouraged to wash their hands regularly. It's good for your staff, it's good for your customers, and it's good for business."
Ensuring hand washing protocols are in place is simple, Dr Travis explained. Bathrooms must have soap or hand wash stocked. Posters should be placed in bathrooms, and are available from http://www.health.vic.gov.au. Employees must be encouraged to wash their hands often, and especially after coughing or sneezing.
"Good hygiene isn't as dramatic as some other measures the authorities have in place," Dr Travis said, "but the simple truth is that simple hygiene practices can stop the spread of infection more effectively than almost any other public health measure.
"Good health hygiene practices can greatly reduce the chance you will get the flu or pass it on to others. It will protect against swine flu, as well as other types of flu.
"Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the garbage bin after you use it. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way."
"If a worker turns up showing symptoms of flu, employers must send them home immediately and instruct them to ring their GP," Dr Travis said. (If the worker has been to Mexico, the USA or Canada in the last seven days they should ring their local hospital.)
"These hygiene tips are simple, and must be encouraged by all businesses. I want to see hand washing posters in every bathroom. I want to see employers telling their staff to ensure that they wash their hands often."
Dr Travis called on high profile business and government figures to take the lead. "I call on Victoria's largest employers to make a public commitment to hand washing protocols in their businesses. These businesses include the Victorian Government, universities, retailers and manufacturers. Dr Travis noted it was particularly important that businesses in service industries, such as supermarkets and large retailers, take responsibility to promote good health hygiene.
"Businesses that fail to have hand washing protocols in place risked the health of their staff, their customers and the community."
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More information at http://www.health.vic.gov.au/ideas/diseases/swine-influenza
Swine Influenza Hotline Tel. 180 2007
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