Influenza and respiratory illness outbreaks create real operational risk for Alberta employers, especially those with workers in close quarters or remote camps. Here is what your safety program should include before the next outbreak.
As news breaks that the most recent flu, perhaps even pandemic, Coronavirus (COVID-19), is starting to spread around the globe, I can’t help but think how can we best keep ourselves, loved ones and workplace safe?
For starters, having the correct facts can help in educating us while also mitigating extreme panic:
What I have been able to take from this is that the real threat of COVID-19 is its ability to spread so widely, so quickly, but with the proper precautions in place and measures to deal with this illness it is possible to stop its devastation, or at least minimize it.
So, what can you do to protect yourself? The most important and easiest action you can take is to wash your hands – either with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, the use of hand sanitizer, or disinfecting wipes on hard surfaces. Secondly avoid touching your face when your hands have not been recently cleaned. These simple steps will be your greatest asset in preventing the spread of infection.
When it comes to your workplace, having a proper Emergency Preparedness Plan for staff and visitors will help keep your company safe and limited the effects of business-related impact:
At Safety Ahead, we focus on assisting companies from every industry in developing health and safety plans that are tailored to the business’ needs, along with providing insight and preparedness for external emergencies, such as a flu pandemic. If you need assistance implementing a health and safety program contact us at info@safetyahead.ca or call 780-473-4772 today.
When it comes to protecting yourself from the Coronavirus (COVID-19), education and knowledge put into practise will be your greatest line of defense.
Cited: World Health Organization https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses and https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
Written by
Safety Ahead Team
Alberta-based safety consultants with decades of field experience — COR auditors, OHS advisors, and WCB specialists working with employers across the province.
About Safety AheadWe help Alberta employers build seasonal safety plans and emergency response procedures that actually get followed in the field — not just filed in a binder.
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