Workforce Column: Infection control in the workplace

March 25, 2009

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By Randall C. Presley, M.A./Disability Program Navigator, Workforce Solutions of

West Central Texas Board

Monday, March 23, 2009

I have a confession to make. Last month I came to work with the flu. I know I

should have stayed at home but I didn’t know how sick I was until the next day.

Every year businesses lose billions of dollars to infectious diseases in the

workplace. According to the National Center for Infectious Diseases, the cost of

treatment and lost productivity associated with infectious diseases tops $120

billion each year. That includes $30 billion for intestinal infections, $17

billion for influenza, $1 billion for salmonella, and $720 million for Hepatitis

B. Furthermore, infectious diseases remain the number one cause of death

worldwide and the third leading cause of death in the United States. What is

your business doing to reduce the risk of illness in the workplace?

Does your office provide paid sick leave or can employees work from home when

they are sick? If you think it’s expensive to pay people to stay home imagine

the cost if an infectious disease affects half your office. What would happen if

your business had to do the same?

Hand washing is the most important thing you can do to prevent the spread of

disease. Remind your employees to wash their hands every time they eat, drink,

smoke, apply make-up or touch their face. Every restroom should have plenty of

soap, warm water and paper towels. Several versions are available online. While

many offices provide small bottles of alcohol based hand sanitizer for their

employees, remember hand sanitizer should not replace hand washing.

Some of the most dangerous diseases in the United States, including Hepatitis

and HIV, are spread through contact with blood. Every workplace should have a

first aid kit with gloves and a breathing barrier. Collectively, these items are

called Universal Precautions because they should be used universally—that is,

all the time. A person who is HIV positive or has tested positive for Chronic

Hepatitis C looks like everyone else. Therefore, Universal Precautions like

avoiding contact with blood, cleaning up blood with bleach or other germicide

and hand washing should be used whenever a body fluid is present. However,

having a first aid kit is not the same as knowing how to use it safely. At least

one person in each office should be trained in CPR and First Aid.

Many businesses work with county health agencies, pharmacists or physicians to

offer flu shots for employees. In 2004, a Society of Human Resource Managers

survey indicated that 6 in 10 employers hold flu clinics. The U.S. Center for

Disease Control recommends everyone get an annual flu shot, especially people

over 50, healthcare workers or people who work with the public. The cost is

usually $10-$20 and the shot is almost painless. According to a recent article

in Infection Control Today (January 2009), businesses that provided flu shots

for employees saw a 60% reduction in the number of sick days used and work loss.

Businesses cannot completely insulate themselves from diseases but they can take

several steps to protect their employees and customers. Some of these are

providing paid sick leave and using good infection control procedures like

proper hand washing, regular cleaning of surfaces that harbor diseases and using

Universal Precautions. Flu shots and having a well stocked first aid kit also

help. The cost is low compared to the loss of production from sick employees

March 25, 2009