How to prevent spread of cold, flu in workplace

Now that cold and flu season is upon us (yet again!), it may be a good time to think about how you and coworkers can stay healthy and prevent the spread of a virus at the company. Consider the following questions and answers on the topic.

Question: How long can a flu virus survive outside of the human body?

Answer: Surprisingly, it depends on the virus strain and surface. Germs live longer on stainless steel, plastic, and similar hard surfaces than cloth and soft surfaces. The amount of virus on the surface and temperature and humidity of the location also make a difference. The flu virus has been shown to live up to 48 hours on hard surfaces.

Viruses are often spread through the air and contact with someone who is infected (e.g., shaking hands) or a contaminated object (e.g., doorknob, copier, phone, microwave). If you touch your hands to your face after being contaminated, you may have just given the virus access to your body. If you touch objects with your contaminated hands, you are continuing the spread of the virus to yet others.

As a best practice, use alcohol wipes or a cleaner to sanitize work spaces and common areas (break room, conference room, etc.).

Question: Is there really a proper way to sneeze or cough?

Answer: Yes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is hygiene etiquette when in public. It requires:

Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and putting the used tissue in the waste basket.

Coughing or sneezing into your upper sleeve if you do not have a tissue (not your hands).

Washing with soap and water after sneezing or coughing. If soap and water are not available, consider using an alcoholbased hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.

Question: What’s so hard about hand washing?

Answer: According to the CDC, it’s not really that difficult. It’s just a matter of taking the time to be thorough.

The following five-step process to wash your hands helps to ensure viruses and bacteria do not survive:

• Wet your hands with clean, running water and apply soap.

• Lather your hands, clean-

ing:

The backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.

• Scrub for at least 20 seconds.

• Thoroughly rinse under clean, running water.

• Dry using a clean, dry towel or air dry. Kathy Close is an editor with J. J. Keller & Associates, a nationally recognized compliance resource firm. The company offers a diverse line of products and services to address the broad range of responsibilities held by business leaders. Close specializes in drug and alcohol testing, and compliance, safety, and accountability enforcement, with a focus on the transportation and logistics industry. She is the editor of several products, including the Transport Safety Risk Management & Security newsletter. For more information, visit www. jjkeller.com and www. jjkellerlibrary.com.

Kathy Close