Posted By Luke. This is nothing against you Paul... and i do not know what sector you work in... Swine Flu is just another strand of the Flu... the flu has been around for hundreds of years and still kills hundreds of people every year.. Just like normal Flu, Swine flu is only really deadly if you are frail/old, suffer with certain illnesses or very young.. suffer with poor immune system etc etc... So i ask this question, have your bosses bothered with this policy and standard of wipe downs etc.... with the common strain of influenza?

Posted By martinw Paul In the document below, which is the current guidance, it says that screens, keyboards etc should be cleaned with the normal cleaning materials, so that may indicate that the new policy of anti-bacterial wipes in your place is based on info which in not backed up by official guidance from the Department of Health/NHS. http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/...cyAndGuidance/DH_097137? I presume the person with skin allergies did not have this problem before. So if the management will not relent and follow DoH/NHS advice, it may well be that the poor person with the skin allergies will have a case later on if their health suffers in the short or long term(that may scare the management into reconsidering); but in the meantime the person may just have to have a little more physical seperation from those using the anti-bac fragranced wipes. Not very helpful, I know, but just trying to be practical. The management may be trying to help as many as possible by instituting what they feel are improved cleaning regimes(anti-bac wipes) and may not have realised that by doing so, they are causing grief to one person. But now that they know about it, they have a responsibility for that person's health and safety as well as for the majority. The person has active health problems, others have potential illnesses. In that case, should this staff member not become the priority? This is not having a go at you, by the way, just thinking aloud. Do a risk assessment. The risk to others from the current virus if they do not use anti-bac wipes is no more according to NHS guidance than if they do not use them. On the other hand, the risk to the staff member at this moment in time is real and tangible. Your management, with the best will in the world, is actively causing a problem to an employee which was not present before, by not following government/NHS guidance. Hopefully once they are aware of this they will look at it again. If you have an Occupational Health dept they may be able to support you; HR might be able to advise. Hope this helps Martin

Posted By Paul Leadbetter Paul Flu, of any variety, is caused by a virus; just how do anti-bacterial wipes cope with that? Paul

Posted By martinw Incidentally Paul, you say that it is your first time on the forum. By leaving your name 'open' at the top of the original post you allow others to see your e-mail address. I have similar employment in the past and recognise it immediately. If you don't want that, go to the blue/grey bar on the top right, click on update my details, and then click on the circle 1/2 way down which chooses that you do not want others to see your e-mail addresses. Then you remain anonymous unless you choose otherwise. Martin

Posted By A Campbell paul, A virus is theoretically removable via sanitation to a point with correct handling and disposal. Similar to the 'aseptic' technique that was passed through nursing prior to changing dressings etc (unsure if this is taught or used these days though .. e.g. MRSA etc!)

Posted By Paul Leadbetter Yes, but my point is, why specify anti-bacterial wipes when decent hygiene could be just as effective? Paul

Posted By A Campbell pauljames... More than likely people want a 'quick fix' and will look at the product without looking at the application! In essence.. short cuts are not always cost effective!

Posted By Bob Youel Paul I bet that nobody has undertaken the COSHH risk assessment either - so I advise that somebody does as the comments you posted would have been picked up their As somebody has already said: people want quick fixes and in reality all flu should be managed properly [if it can be] not just the high profile ones as days off/lost cost companies millions irrespective of what it costs people although mangers sill want the cheapest [short term] so we are still putting in open plan offices

Posted By A Campbell Hi Chris, Are you advocating that the transmission of a virus by hand/touching droplets is insignificant/negligible? I totally agree the primary transmission route is via aerosol/droplets, although I also tend to view as potential transmission via oral route also