NSC Offers H1N1 Prevention Tips

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While the number of H1N1 cases is declining, the virus is expected to peak again. Employers should prepare now to ensure stable business operations throughout the flu season.

To address the H1N1 flu virus, the National Safety Council encourages businesses of all sizes to promote healthy behavior by offering hand sanitizer and tissues to employees and customers. Encouraging fewer in-person meetings, offering tips on flu prevention and modifying sick leave policies to encourage employees with flu symptoms to stay home also are steps businesses can take to protect employees. In addition, the following steps can ensure that businesses remain productive during a pandemic:

• Ask employees to document daily procedures.
• Cross-train employees to handle co-workers’ duties when they take sick days.
• Develop an alternative plan to distribute products and services.
• Ask suppliers what steps they have taken to ensure that they can continue delivering during a pandemic.

“Many companies recognize the importance of protecting the health of their workers by preventing the spread of H1N1,” said Jim Johnson, NSC senior director for workplace initiatives. “In addition to maintaining a safe and healthy workforce, these businesses understand it also contributes to the health of their business by avoiding levels of absence that adversely impact operations.”

For additional resources, visit
http://www.nsc.org/safety_work/empreparedness/Pages/EmployerH1N1FluResources.aspx or http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu.

FAC