Flu (and Zombie) Season is Coming Up

TL;DR version - disease season is coming up, sterilize everything twice a week, wash your hands.

From: Evan
Sent: Monday, October 17, 2011 6:50 AM
To: me and the whole YYC Office
Subject: Severe Illness Procedure and Best Practices

Good Morning YYC!

It is that time of year (again!) and various colds and other virus are beginning to make their rounds. In the past few weeks we have seen a marked increase in the number of employee absences due to illness.  I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone about our Best Practices which relate to your health. 

As a precautionary measure, we encourage you each to take the time to thoroughly clean and disinfect your workstations.  This includes sanitizing all hard surfaces such as your desk surface, mouse, keyboard, telephone, staplers, etc.  Common surfaces such as light switches, door knobs, hand rails, printer buttons and keypads, etcetera should also be wiped down with disinfectant wipes on a regular basis.  If your workstation is a vehicle, use disinfectant wipes on the steering wheel, door and window handles/switches, gear shifts, dashboard and any other hard surfaces.  As established in our Severe Illness planning and procedures in years passed when we were faced with an influenza pandemic, there are precautionary measures that we all can and should be taking, even when we are not being faced with a pandemic situation. 

Individual Responsibilities and General Preventative Measures

Everyone can take simple measures to minimize the risk of being infected.

Ø      Wash your hands frequently, especially after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose. Wash with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. When done correctly, this is the single most effective way to reduce the spread of germs and infections.

Ø      Stay home from work if you are sick.

Ø      Wash Your Hands.

Ø      Get immunized.

Ø      Wash Your Hands.

Ø      Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your arm, not your hand.

Ø      Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth after shaking hands or touching hard surfaces like counters and door handles or other surfaces that may harbor influenza and other viruses. Keep common surfaces clean and disinfected.

Ø      Practice social distancing and avoid crowds when influenza is circulating in the community.

Ø      Wash Your Hands.

Ø      Other steps to keep yourself healthy include:

o        healthy eating;

o        maintaining an active lifestyle; and

o        getting enough rest and sleep.

o        Washing your hands.

Ø      If you have been in contact with someone who is sick with Influenza, you should monitor your health closely for a period of 4 to 5 days for the sudden onset of any flu like symptoms.

Employee Responsibilities

Ø      Employees should follow all general preventative measures, but be especially diligent about washing their hands frequently.  Hand sanitizers have been made available at work stations and in common areas throughout the offices.

Ø      Employees are encouraged to get vaccinated.

Ø      Employees should sanitize their personal work areas as necessary and at a minimum, on a bi-weekly basis. This includes disinfecting your telephone and keyboard as well as other work surfaces.

If there are any questions or concerns feel free to contact me.

Thank you,