18 OHS Incident & Corrective Action

ICP02 – Influenza Infection Control Procedure: Pandemic Control ProceduresIssue Date: 01/05/08

1 Objective

The objective of this Influenza Infection Control Procedure is to outline the control procedures to apply during an influenza pandemic situation.

This Influenza Infection Control Procedure has been developed as an element of EnergyAustralia’s overall Pandemic Management Control Plan.

2 Scope

This procedure applies to all EnergyAustralia employee’s and contractors during an influenza pandemic.

3 Principals

This procedure is written to promote the following principles:

• Identify and implement appropriate influenza mitigation strategies to protect EnergyAustralia employees and their families;
• Educate and train employees on a regular basis to increase their awareness of an influenza pandemic hazard and associated control measures; and
• Encourage employees to embrace general hygiene procedures.

4 What is an Influenza Pandemic and how is it spread?

A pandemic influenza occurs when a new strain of influenza virus emerges, spreading around the world and infecting many people simultaneously.

An influenza virus capable of causing a pandemic worldwide is one that people have no natural immunity to, can easily spread from person to person, and is capable of causing severe disease or possibly death in humans.

5 Pandemic Prepardness Kits

The effective implementation of this procedure requires employees to have ready access to personal protective equipment and other items listed below. EnergyAustralia will ensure that each employee is provided with this equipment in the form of a Pandemic Preparedness Kit during an influenza pandemic situation managed in accordance with the Pandemic Management Control Plan.

It is the responsibility of all employees to ensure that they carry sufficient equipment with them at all times to implement the elements of this control procedure.

Pandemic Preparedness Kit Contents:

• 28 x 59ml bottle of alcohol based hand wash;
• 672 x alcohol impregnated cloth wipes;
• 672 x P2 Face Masks;
• 2 x pair of Safety Glasses;
• 2 x Thermometers; and
• 2 x Day Bags.

Each Pandemic Preparedness Kit will last for a total of 168 days. This is based upon a pandemic of two waves of 12 week duration per wave and coverage for seven days per week.

6 Procedure

6.1 Influenza General Hygeine Procedures

All employee’s must continue to apply the procedures outlined ICP-01 Influenza General Hygiene:

1. Cough and Sneeze Hygiene;
2. Hand Hygiene; and
3. Work Space Hygiene.

6.2 Daily Employee Preparation

To effectively implement these control procedures employees must ensure they have at least the following items with them at all times during a pandemic situation. These items should be stored in the Day Bag provided with your Pandemic Preparedness Kit:

• 1 x 59ml bottle of alcohol based hand wash;
• 4 x alcohol impregnated cloth wipes;
• 4 x P2 face masks;
• 1 x pair of safety glasses; and
• 1 x thermometer.

6.3 Spatial Separation – Standing back from other persons.

During an influenza pandemic situation, employees should maintain at least one metre between yourself and any other person. This control measure will assist in reducing the likelihood of contracting influenza from other infected persons.

For example:

• Avoid face to face group meetings by utilising teleconference facilities;
• Avoid common and public eating places;
• Rearrange your work area to effectively implement this control measure.

6.4 Influenza Personal Protective Equipment

Where, the above control measures cannot be achieved, employees must apply the following personal protective equipment:

1. P2 Face Mask; and
2. Safety Glasses.

6.4.1 Use of P2 Face Mask

• Masks are to be worn at all times you are closer than one metre to other people;
• Masks should be a good fit. Removal of facial hair for the period of the pandemic is recommended;
• Masks are to be changed as soon as they become wet;
• Masks are NOT to be re-used;
• Remove your glasses before you remove your mask (as the outside of any of the glasses may be contaminated);
• Masks are to be removed by touching the strings and loops only;
• Discard used masks in the nearest bin; and
• Hand hygiene must be performed after every mask change.

6.4.2 Use of Safety Glasses

• Safety glasses are to be worn at all times you are closer than one metre to other people;
• Safety glasses must be worn at face-to-face meetings;
• Safety glasses should be cleaned after each use using alcohol wipes, and then, if required, soapy water to remove any residue.

6.5 Influenza Case Management – Employee Procedure

Typical influenza symptoms are:

• High fever (above 38º C); or
• Chest discomfort / difficulty breathing; or
• Two or more of the following symptoms:

 headache

 sore throat

 dry cough

 chills and shivering

 sneezing

 muscles aches

 fatigue and weakness

 runny nose

Should you exhibit the influenza symptoms described above then:

1. Apply your face mask and safety glasses;
2. Commence anti-viral medication if you have chosen to be prescribed with this medication;
3. Inform your manager at work; and
4. Seek medical attention.

Refer to Appendix 2 for further information outlining the difference between a common cold and influenza.

6.6 Influenza Case Management – Supervisor Procedure

If one of your employees whilst at work informs you that they have influenza symptoms described above then:

1. Relieve the employee from their duties;
2. Determine the most appropriate way for the employee member to seek medical attention safely and facilitate this in whatever way necessary;
3. Ask the employee member if there is a next of kin who should be notified;
4. Provide them with the details of EnergyAustralia’s Employee Assistance Program;
5. Arrange for their vehicle or desks and surrounding work area to be cleaned with alcohol based cleaning solution;
6. Complete the OHS Incident / Injury Form (ref A.295); and
7. Inform your work area that someone is seeking medical attention for suspected influenza and remind them also of EnergyAustralia’s Employee Assistance Program should they have any concerns.

7 Definitions

8 Responsibility

9 References

9.1 Standards & Guidance Material

• Australian Standard 4801:2004 – OHS Management Systems
• Australian Health Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza

10 Version Control

10.1 Current Version

Appendix One

Appendix Two

To assist you further, below is a table showing the difference between influenza and common cold symptoms:

The original of this document is posted on EA Procedures. Uncontrolled hard copies must be validated against the original controlled document before they can be used. (Printed on 28/04/08) Page 1 of 7