What are the risks for H1N1 in my workplace?
Infection often happens through close contact with someone who is already infected (who may or may not be showing flu-like symptoms). Infections spreads either by breathing in germs that have been projected into the air by coughs or sneezes, or by touching an object with germs on it, then touching our eyes, nose or mouth.
Our jobs usually involve contact with a range of people, often in close proximity. In some cases, we have little control over who we encounter at work.
Therefore, work is one of many places where we might become infected with the flu.
Besides the obvious desire to minimize spread of the flu and to protect ourselves from becoming sick, there are legal responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act to safeguard the health and safety of workers and colleagues.
Employers are additionally concerned about having their work force healthy and able to come to work. Workers may be concerned about potential loss of earnings or work piling up in their absence if they get sick.
For all those reasons, everyone needs to play a role in minimizing everyone’s exposure to the flu at work.
Yukon Workers' Compensation Health and Safety Board
