Posted By Fornhelper
I am a bit concerned that the HSE have advocated that employers 'should carry out a risk assessment' with regard to swine flu - see: 2009http://www.hse.gov.uk/news/2009/swineflu.htm

Surely undertaking a risk assessment is a pointless exercise when everyone knows the precautions that should be taken and every household already has a copy of the 'control measures'.

If we undertake a risk assessment we also have a duty to ensure its findings are communicated to all employees - a case of reinventing the wheel if ever I heard one!!!

I am also concerned that we are advised to "send employees displaying flu like symptoms home" and "Advise staff to stay at home if they have flu like symptoms". Surely this is the role of the medical profession and any decision on this should be made between an employee and their GP.

I have just heard someone sneeze a couple of times along the office corridor.....do I have a responsibility to go and investigate this? :-)

What do others think?

Regards
FH

Posted By A Campbell
I expect the HSE are wishing to communicate in line with every other goverment department!

Most larger organisations will have some type of business continuity plans drawn up for such events.
In addition you may wish to review this area within your H&S policy in order to ensure you are taking 'reasonable practical' steps to safeguard the H&S& Well being of your employees and others?

The leaflets being distributed to every household is plain sound advice... for even seasonal flu also! Although you may wish to look at other measures to minimise the risk of spread of such virus in your workplace, such as cleaning of hard surfaces, telephones, contact with the public etc.

Posted By Raymond Rapp
Just had a thought, some companies have contingency planning, which may include a pandemic flu outbreak. However, there is no legal requirement to have one in place as far as I am aware.

Posted By Fornhelper
We do have contingency plans in place (and have had these for a number of years awaiting an expected flu pandemic) - I just feel that the HSE advice doesn't really reflect the 'sensible H & S' approach that it advocates.

Raymond enjoy Portugal & golf - was there this time last year doing same - superb!!!

FH

Posted By A Campbell
Stuff...
I may also add the point of close cooperation with HR departments as they well place a policy with regards how they wish to manage absence from such people staying at home.

Posted By Stuff4blokes
Whilst acknowledging that I am in danger of banging the drum too often and loudly there is a tendency for H&S practitioners to avoid dealing with health issues whilst embracing the "easier" safety aspects of our role.

A Campbell has correctly pointed out that it is often a HR function to manage absence and I certainly accept that medics are much more likely to be able to recognise and diagnose disease than most of us. However, in the absence of either of these services it must be up to health and safety people to advise, manage or implement, according to our job function, suitable measures to prevent the spread of any disease in the workplace. This will include hygiene, education, instruction and removal of the sources of infection.

Posted By Chris Packham
How will the non-specialist know if it is swine flu or ordinary flu? This is a relevant question in one sense, since ordinary flu is still vastly more common in this country than swine flu. It take a laboratory test to establish that it is swine flu.

As a sensible precaution I would recommend sending anyone home who appears to be suffering from flu, if only to reduce the risk that they will infect others.

Chris

Posted By Jem
I am currently indentifying certain areas of our business that may be at higher risk of exposure due to the nature of their roles.

During a pandemic scenario our employees who are accessing the Care Sector will be at higher risk of infection than others.

My findings will form part of our controls and business continuity plans, it seems like good practice to me.

Jem

Posted By Martin J Morley
Fornhelper,

My reading of this HSE page was that the advice to carry out a risk assessment is only in respect of the use of face masks in higher risk situations.

It's certainly no use waiting until staff are facing sick people to think about what mask is required and whether it fits, etc.

This would then form a part of the larger risk assessment and provide the basis for staff training.

martin

Posted By Chris Packham
Paul

I have to agree with your comments! IMO the whole swine flu thing is getting out of proportion.

Consider that apparently in 2008 30,000 people died in the USA from ordinary flu.

I would like answers to two questions:

1. Is swine flu more infectious that ordinary flu?
2. Is swine flu more lethal than ordinary flu?

Perhaps someone out there can provide the answers, but I have failed to find them so far.

When we have the answers to these questions, then perhaps we can do a risk assessment and decide what precautions we should take that we are not taking already with regard to ordinary flu.

Chris

Posted By harrison1
Emergency planning for any organisation has to be good idea & in terms of the flu pandemic then a Risk Assessment may seem a bit over the top to the H&s practitioner but don't forget that in a pandemic you may find key staff are off work not only with flu but may also have child care issues as well as a host of issues that come to light in the course of a pandemic.
Health & safety in a flu pandemic would need planning for as their is information needed for staff ,training of staff & the implications of job swapping to keep services maintained.
If a flu pandemic does come our way there is no doubt that time is not on our side.
sending people home may seem difficult at the onset of a pandemic but i think you may change your mind if it does become a killer strain.

Steve

Posted By Kenneth Patrick
"Surely undertaking a risk assessment is a pointless exercise when everyone knows the precautions that should be taken "

I agree but that does usually stop us H&S folk, we seem to feel the need to get RA into everything.

Ken