Morning all: I've been asked to complete a risk assessment by my seniors reference the current flu outbreak. I work in the passenger ferry industry and I think they want a "business risk assessment" in case the crew contract the virus and we can't operate, not a task or health based assessment. Am I correct in thinking that the flu is not covered in the CoSHH Regs, unless you are actually working with live viruses etc., not simply coming into contact with a member of the public/work associate who may be infected? I have ensured that our cleaning and sanitation procedures have been reviewed and the crews have been informed about symptoms, taking even more care with personal hygiene etc. Leaflets and posters have been displayed as a reminder in all of our work areas and public areas.

Has anyone else been asked to produce a risk assessment on this subject? My senior managers  believe that we need a risk assessment for absolutely everything and when I ask about significant harm they say "JUST DO IT" - sound familiar?

Any advice will be gratefully accepted.

I included pandemic 'flu in my monthly site risk register of things that could stop us in our tracks ie a business continuity risk assessment.  It is quite easy to do but you need to consider how having staff off ill would affect the business.  Consider what % of staff off would stop the business from operating, do you have a "key man" dependency that means if you have them off for a protracted period the business can't function?  Just work through it logically.  In my opinion all businesses should do this kind of risk assessment as it can show you weaknesses in your business model that can be corrected before the business grinds to a halt. 

Have you looked at WHO http://www.who.int/influenza/gisrs_laboratory/en/

Im sure you are already getting the flu updates but if not they can be an intresting read.