OHS REPS @ WORK

Relevant regulations:

Further information on infectious diseases can be obtained from community and public health offices. One example is the Department of Human Services IDEAS website, which has information on a large number of infectious disease.  Of particular interest is  The Blue Book - Guidelines for the Control of Infectious Diseases. 

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has a website designed to help health care workplaces set up flu immunisation programs. It includes a workplace toolkit, posters and tips on running a campaign to deliver a workplace immunisation program. According to the NHMRC, 10% of absenteeism was due to influenza and immunisation could protect against the disease and avoid spreading the risk to others.

The National Code of Practice for the Control of Work-related Exposure to Hepatitis and HIV (blood-borne) Viruses [NOHSC: 2010 (2003) 2nd Edition], declared in December 2003 can be downloaded from this page on the ASCC website.  This code provides practical guidance for the management of exposure to HBV, HCV and HIV in the workplace. The code is designed to be applicable to all workplaces, rather than focusing on the specific requirements of workers in health care settings.

A NOHSC publication:  Diseases Acquired from Animals  [ pdf] 

VWA Guidance Note: Q Fever Prevention

Notification Requirements for Occupational Exposure to Human Blood-Borne Pathogens A NSW Guide to assist employers and occupiers to make notifications about incidents that occur at their workplace involving potential or actual exposure to human bodily fluids that presents a risk of transmission of blood-borne disease.

Preventing communicable diseases at work - Canada's national union centre CLC has published a detailed online strategy guide to prevention and control of communicable diseases in the workplace [pdf]. The resource outlines key 'strategy directions' including investment in adequate staffing levels, with sufficient staff to cope with an outbreak, and new regulations where existing safety regimes are judged inadequate. Canada was hit by the recent SARS outbreak, with a number of health service staff treating sufferers also contracting the disease. At least one health worker died. Bird flu and other conditions have heightened concerns about communicable diseases and the workplace. The report covers risks posed by bacteria, viruses and moulds and fungi .

Your union

A UK Health & Safety Executive website on pathogens with a range of leaflets available to download, including "Infection at work: Controlling the risks"  [pdf] especially aimed at those who may be incidentally exposed tobiological agents during the course of their work, such as farmers, refuse collectors and cleanersand leaflets on dangerous pathogens. 

THe UK Department of Health publications website

Health Hazards Associated with Bird and Bat Droppings from the Illinois Department of Public Health

WorkSafe Victoria: Information pages on Avian Flu  - provide background information, advice to employers and employees who may have to travel overseas, and several links to more information, such as the World Health Organisation. The Federal Department of Health and Ageing

The University of Newcastle has issued a document that discusses influenza pandemic risk and looks at the business continuity concepts that could be applied to assess and minimise risk.
Avian Flu and Business Continuity Management: an Australian perspective [pdf].

HSE guide on Avian flu for health workers -  a guide for health workers working with the avian flu virus Working with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus

Other sources of information: