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Workplace hygiene
29 April 2009.
Doctors have today urged Victorian employers to promote good personal hygiene practices in their workplaces to protect staff against the spread of all influenza viruses.
AMA Victoria President Dr Doug Travis said while Victoria was well prepared to deal with the threat of swine flu, practising good personal hygiene was important in reducing the transmission of any highly infectious virus.
“Practising good personal hygiene is crucial in preventing the spread of contagious diseases such as influenza,” he said. “Many of us spend more time at work than we do anywhere else so it makes sense that employers play a role in promoting infection control.
“Washing your hands regularly with soap and water, protecting others by covering your mouth while coughing or sneezing, and disposing of used tissues appropriately are simple measures that make a difference in reducing flu transmission. Employers are well-placed to promote these messages.”
Dr Travis said alcohol-based hand sanitisers were useful in reducing the spread of bacteria. “If you are concerned about coming into contact with the influenza viruses, for instance, on public transport or in other public places, an alcohol-based hand sanitiser can reduce the spread of bacteria. These hand sanitisers are used in all Victorian hospitals and are readily available elsewhere.”
Dr Harry Hemley, AMA Victoria’s Vice President and Melbourne GP, urged all at risk people to have their regular flu shot. "Australians are still at risk of contracting regular influenza," he said, "and a flu shot is our best protection. People don’t want to be in the situation where their resistance is lowered by regular flu, making them more vulnerable to the new strain.”
Dr Hemley also urged those who had recently been to Mexico or the border states of the USA and were experiencing any flu-like symptoms to see their general practitioner. “It’s important that if you have flu-like symptoms and have recently travelled in the Americas that you stay away from work and see your doctor as soon as possible,” he said.
In addition, businesses are urged to develop pandemic preparedness plans. The elements of such a plan might include relaxed working from home arrangements, postponement of social functions and the use of staggered hours so employees can avoid peak hour on public transport. Advice on plans can be found at the Department of Human Services web site at http://www.health.vic.gov.au/pandemicinfluenza/business.htm.
"Our message to employers is simple — if your staff are sick, send them home and tell them to see their doctor. Allowing sick people to continue in the workplace puts others at risk, and is bad for the business' productivity,” Dr Hemley said. “A healthy workforce means a healthy business."
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