Swine flu is a type of influenza caused by a virus which can cause serious health complications or even death in a small proportion of the population. Officially called Influenza A H1N1, the symptoms are similar to ordinary flu (e.g. fever, headache, sneezing) but can be more severe.
The spread of the flu is now recognised as a pandemic (i.e. global epidemic) and its effects are likely to intensify during the autumn and winter. Businesses could be adversely affected and forward planning is important. The key challenge will be to maintain the normal operation of their business whilst protecting staff from unnecessary exposure – especially those who are most vulnerable.
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(From a Lexology.com article)Â Â Employers have a duty to take steps that are reasonably necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all their employees, including those who are particularly at risk for whatever reason. Information on the symptoms of swine flu and those most at risk is available from the NHS at: www.nhs.uk/conditions/pandemic-flu/ pages/symptoms.aspx.
Simple precautions can make a big difference in preventing the spread of the virus:
- Educate your staff without causing panic. For example, display posters outlining the most common symptoms of swine flu and the Government’s key precautionary steps.
- Provide handwash and paper tissues in all communal areas and encourage their regular use.
- Regularly clean surfaces frequently touched by people (including hotdesk areas, kitchens, toilets and showers).
- Consider using telephone or videoconferencing where possible, instead of face-to-face meetings.
- Keep work-related travel to a minimum, especially abroad.
- Deploy those most at risk to areas where personal contact is minimal (e.g. allow them to work from home).
- Send home anyone with flu-like symptoms (including the boss!) until they have been diagnosed. If confirmed as having swine flu, ensure they do not return to work until their symptoms have completely gone.
Employees also have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of people they work with. They must co-operate with their employer to enable it to comply with its duties under health and safety legislation. Accordingly, employees who refuse to co-operate or who recklessly risk their own health or that of colleagues or customers can be disciplined.
At present there is no obligation to report outbreaks of swine flu under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR), but this may change.
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