Preparedness against communicable diseases
Every employer needs to prepare for an unwanted event as defined in the Provisions on Microbiological Work-related Risks – Infection, Toxigenic Effect, Hypersensitivity (AFS 2005:1). An unwanted event can be an outbreak of communicable disease, an epidemic threatening the country, an outbreak in a workplace or maybe a single case of a life-threatening contagious disease. Even a case of rabies in a dog in the country could be considered an unwanted event due to the fear it would arise among people. Another example is when there is an emission of legionella from a cooling tower.
Prevention of the spread of contagious diseases in the workplace
Every employer shall
identify infectious risks at the workplace, existing and those that might appear later
make a risk assessment of how serious they might be or become
make sure the employees have adequate education and enough information on the risks and how to protect themselves
prepare and plan the activities so that as few as possible are exposed in an emergency situation in the workplace.
If the aim of the plans is to handle a situation involving a serious airborne infection in the workplace, as maybe a new pandemic influenza, the employer may organize the work so that
as many as possible may perform their work in their own home
the number of contacts with other people is as low as possible, e.g. that personnel in the home-help services travel directly to their patients instead of “gathering in a central place”
as few as possible care for one patient or visit a home
other restrictions depending on what kind of workplace it is
The employer shall also make sure that everything is done for not letting any unwanted incident to happen during work. Exercising different events and situations makes it easier to find out what might go wrong and lead to a severe infection.
If something happens after all
It is the responsibility of the employer to see to it that it is obvious to everybody what to do, e.g.
report any unwanted event or ill-health to the supervisor
know where to turn to if there are symptoms of infectionhave it clear with the health care-provider, e.g. occupational health service. The health care-provider needs to know, if possible, what kind of infectious agent might be causing the infection.
