6 tips to prevent the spread of respiratory diseases in your workplace

As the respiratory illness season begins, it’s crucial for employers to take proactive measures to protect their workforce from the spread of flu and other respiratory diseases. “Ensuring a safe and healthy work environment not only helps maintain productivity and morale but also reduces absenteeism and protects the well-being of employees,” says Pam Patry, Health & Safety Consultant with Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS).

Both employers and employees have roles to play in this effort, with employers responsible for implementing effective safety measures and employees encouraged to follow guidelines and take preventive actions. Pam offers six tips to help safeguard your team this season.

Use these expert tips to protect employees from respiratory illnesses

1. Ensure ventilation, barriers and sanitation controls are in place. "Be proactive," says Pam. "Most respiratory diseases are spread by air, or by touching contaminated surfaces." Increase fresh air flow in your HVAC system and change or upgrade filters. Re-inventory your sanitation supplies, and re-institute regular cleanings of high-touch surfaces if they have stopped. 

2. Advise employees to stay home if they are sick. Make sure people who are sick with a respiratory illness, go home or stay home until they are well. Consider implementing a sick time policy and consider allowing staff to work from home when they are feeling better enough to work, but still contagious for the workplace.

3. Encourage workers to get vaccinated for COVID-19 and the flu. “Flu season typically runs from late fall to early spring,” says Pam. “The sooner people get vaccinated, the sooner they begin to build immunity.” Flu vaccinations are free in Ontario and available now, making this a good time to adopt or refresh a policy that encourages influenza vaccinations, combats misinformation, and more. "Make it easy for them," says Pam. "Post locations of clinics or pharmacies and allow time off work if required to get the shot. 

4. Outline what controls you have in place to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses. This could include physical distancing, washing your hands regularly, disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, improving indoor ventilation, masks, barriers, screening, and more.

5. Address objections, concerns and misinformation with facts. For example:

• • The flu is not that serious. “Influenza is not a benign illness,” says Pam. “It can lay people low for up to 10 days and there can be serious complications. According to the Government of Canada, the flu kills around 3,500 people each year, and also causes about 12,200 hospitalizations.”
  • Flu vaccines are not 100% effective. True, but your risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death will be significantly reduced if you have the vaccine.
  • The flu shot can give you the flu. No, it’s not possible to develop the flu from getting the shot, says Pam. There may be temporary side effects, such as soreness at the injection site, tiredness or slight fever, but that’s just your body’s immune system gearing up to fight the disease. “It’s a good sign,” notes Pam. “According to the Government of Canada, the flu shot is safe for anyone six months of age or older who does not have a contraindication to the vaccine.

6. Provide accurate information from reliable public health sources. Address how serious the flu is, who’s at greatest risk, how it spreads, and how safe and effective the vaccine is. Here are some useful resources:

• • What to advise workers who have the flu (Ontario.ca)
  • Influenza (flu) (Public Health Ontario)
  • Summary of NACI statement of July 25, 2024: Statement on seasonal influenza vaccine for 2024–2025 (National Advisory Committee on Immunization – NACI)
  • CDC Recommends Updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines for Fall/Winter Virus Season (U.S Centres for Disease Control and Prevention - CDC)

 The information in this article is accurate as of its publication date.