1. Pandemic Influenza Planning
David M. Loughlin
Occupational Health Consultant I
NJ Department of Health and Senior Services
Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health Program

2. Pandemic Influenza Planning
Classifying Employee Exposure to Pandemic Influenza at Work
Very high exposure
High exposure
Medium exposure
Lower exposure risk

3. Pandemic Influenza Planning
Very high exposure risk
Exposure to high concentrations of known or suspected sources of pandemic influenza during specific medical or laboratory procedures
Example - Healthcare employees performing aerosol-generating procedures on known or suspected pandemic patients

4. Pandemic Influenza Planning
High exposure risk
High potential for exposure to known or suspected sources
Healthcare delivery and support staff exposed to known or suspected patients
Medical transport of known or suspected patients in enclosed vehicles
Performing autopsies on known or suspected patients

5. Pandemic Influenza Planning
Medium exposure risk
Employees with high-frequency contact with the general population (such as schools, high population density work environments, and some high volume retail)
Requires frequent, close contact (within 6 feet) exposure to others

6. Pandemic Influenza Planning
Lower exposure risk (Caution)
Employees who have minimal occupational contact with the general public and other coworkers (for example, office employees)
No frequent close contact (within 6 feet) with others

7. Pandemic Influenza Planning
Hierarchy of Controls
Work Practice and Engineering Controls
Administrative Controls
Personal Protective Equipment

8. Pandemic Influenza Planning
Work Practice
Providing resources and work environment that promotes personal hygiene
Encourage employees to obtain seasonal influenza vaccine
Provide employees with up-to-date education and training

9. Pandemic Influenza Planning
Engineering Controls
Installing clear plastic barriers
Installing drive-through windows for customer service
Healthcare settings – Airborne Infection Isolation (AII) rooms
High efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration
Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI)

10. Pandemic Influenza Planning
Administrative Controls
Develop policies that encourage ill employees to stay home
Discontinuation of unessential travel to locations with high illness transmission rates
Consider home delivery of goods and services
Consider practices to reduce face to face contact between employees

11. Pandemic Influenza Planning
Personal Protective Equipment
Surgical masks
Respirators – Disposable or filtering facepiece, Reusable or elastomeric, Powered air purifying (PAPRs)
Gloves
Goggles
Face shields

12. Pandemic Influenza Planning
Surgical Masks vs. Respirators
Surgical Mask – not certified to prevent inhalation of small airborne contaminates
Surgical Mask – not designed to seal tightly against user’s face
Respirators – certified to prevent inhalation of small airborne contaminates
Respirators – designed to seal tightly against user’s face

13. Pandemic Influenza Planning
Surgical Masks
Placed on sick people to limit spread of infectious respiratory secretions
Worn by healthcare providers to prevent accidental contamination of patient’s wounds
Worn by employees to protect themselves from splashes or sprays of blood or bodily fluids

14. Pandemic Influenza Planning
Respirators
Employer must have written respiratory protection plan – including medical clearance, fit testing, and training
Must be certified by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Must be marked with manufacturer’s name, part number, and protection level

15. Pandemic Influenza Planning
Steps every Employer Can Take
Encourage sick employees to stay home
Encourage good hygiene practices (hand washing, cough/sneeze etiquette)
Avoid close contact (within 6 feet)
Discourage sharing phones, desks, computers
Minimize crowded situations

16. Pandemic Influenza Planning
Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA)
“Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for an Influenza Pandemic”