Information on “swine flu” prevention for UFCW 1518 members

Many UFCW 1518 members are expressing concern about the current pandemic of Human Swine Influenza A (H1N1), and their potential on-the-job exposure to it.

The B.C. Centre for Disease Control, the Occupational Health and Safety Agency for Healthcare (OHSAH), and WorkSafeBC are monitoring the situation closely to limit exposure to British Columbians, but the numbers of lab-confirmed cases are rising.

And according to the Public Health Agency of Canada, our country has the highest rate of H1N1 cases per capita in the world!

Here’s what you need to know.

“Swine flu” symptoms include fever, fatigue, cough, headache, general body aches, and may be accompanied by a runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Under the Occupational Health & Safety Regulation - parts 5.54 (Exposure Control Plan) and 6.33 to 6.40 (Biological Agents) - your employer is required to do a risk assessment of all jobs that have any potential contact with biological agents, and to have an exposure control plan in place.

There are several important precautions you can take to help reduce the risks, such as thorough handwashing with soap and hot water, using hand sanitizers, avoid excessively touching your eyes, nose and mouth, and if you’re sick, stay home and limit contact with others.

In B.C., employers are legally obligated to protect employees from work-related hazards, including exposure to infectious diseases like influenza, and must have a prevention plan in place.

The prevention plan will vary depending on your work and how closely you may be in contact with those with the flu or other infectious disease.

In retail, Cashiers should regularly wash their hands and have access to a hand sanitizer such as Purell at the checkstand. Some may choose to wear disposable surgical gloves, as these will help prevent you from touching your eyes, mouth , or nose until you have removed the glove and washed your hands with sanitizer.

H1N1 is a flu virus and prevention measures do not differ from those taken every year to prevent seasonal flu. It is a community disease and exposure to the virus can take place at any point during the day while doing the routine things we do every day in public - for example, going to a coffee shop or restaurant, commuting by public transit, shopping in a store, walking down a busy street, etc.

Many will be exposed through contact with their children who may become ill at school. (This particular form of the flu appears to be a greater threat to young children and pregnant women). The best protective measure is to be vigilant about washing your hands, obtain a vaccination when these vaccines become available in the fall, and stay home if you have any signs or symptoms of illness.

The following information may be particularly important for the union’s Health Care sector members. 

• All clients should be pre-screened for symptoms of H1N1 or seasonal flu. If they are ill, the supervisor should ensure the client is using a surgical mask while care is being given. The Community Health Worker should use disposable gloves and ensure that hand sanitizers or access to soap and water for handwashing is available.
• If you are working within two metres (six feet) of suspected flu cases, you should ask to be provided with a fit-tested N95 respirator mask and training on PPE procedures. This ensures that the respirator fits snugly and seals the face properly to provide the necessary protection from airborne droplets containing the virus. Contact your Occupational Health and Safety Committee worker rep and your direct supervisor to ensure these safety measures are taken.
• In addition, pregnant women have been shown to be a higher risk group, and workers who are pregnant should be reassigned if a client of theirs develops H1N1 flu.

There is ongoing discussion amongst healthcare specialists on whether use of fit-tested N-95 masks is required or not. The Public Health Agency of Canada does not recommend this at this time, and emphasizes screening and use of hand washing, but not fit-tested masks unless the caregiver is performing a procedure on the patient that will produce droplet exposures. However, the US National Institute of Medicine has recently recommend use of fit-tested N-95 respirators for all caregivers including community care, if the client has swine flu or its symptoms.

If you believe you are not properly protected, contact your Shop Steward or Union Representative. Remember, you have the right to refuse unsafe work (part 3.12, OH&S Regulation).

In response to the “swine flu” crisis, OHSAH has posted information for health care workers on their website, with regular updates.

Learn more about the H1N1 Virus at: http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthfiles/hfile108.stm#F108A009

(*source: Government of B.C. website)

Additional information can be found at: 

WorkSafeBC

OHSAH

B.C. Centre for Disease Control

Government of British Columbia

Health Canada

Public Health Agency of Canada

World Health Organization

WorkSafeBC’s prevention information line: 604-276-3100 in the Lower Mainland, or toll-free 1-888-621-7233.