URA Health and Safety: What You Can Do to Plan and Prepare to Prevent Pandemic Flu

This from health and safety chair Joyce Sagi

There is a time to plan the work and a time to work the plan. The URA-AFT has requested, in conjunction with other Rutgers locals, to have a seat at the table and partner with Rutgers management in emergency planning and on pandemic planning. We will continue to monitor the H1N1 outbreak and keep our members informed.

Keeping with the Rutgers theme of Jersey Roots, Global Reach, the URA-AFT Health and Safety Committee recommends the following links to obtain H1N1 information:

Rutgers Emergency Management: http://emergency.rutgers.edu/
U.S. Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) http://www.dhs.gov or http://www.PandemicFlu.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) http://www.cdc.gov.

As health officials combat the new influenza virus known as H1N1 or swine flu with detection, diagnosis, and treatment protocols, it is important to realize that managing a major disease outbreak requires participation from everyone. This recent flu outbreak reminds us how important it is to be prepared and how we all need to take the time now to get ready for a possible pandemic flu.

Below are some of the recommended actions to take when preparing for a possible pandemic disease outbreak.
o Practice good hygiene. Ensure you and your family members always practice flu prevention principles, such as:
o Use good cough etiquette. Cough and sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue, not your hands.
o Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
o Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
o Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
o If you get sick with influenza, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
o Stay informed. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services maintains a website that provides guidance, including checklists, for individuals, families, businesses and all sectors on what to do before, during, and after a pandemic flu.
o Talk to your employer. Ask your employer about its business plan during a pandemic flu. It will be important to know if you can work from home and what the policies are for extended absences and other office protocols. If you commute to work with others, be sure to discuss contingency plans if participants become ill or if their working hours change.

"Our goal is and should be to fight for our members and uphold the contractual rights and the legal obligation of RU to provide a safe workplace environment. We will continue to engage RU and work with our fellow unions to ensure our community is safe." Joyce S. Sagi 2009