H1N1 Updates

NAIT suspends flu-related absence tracking

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 02:44:43 -0700

Now that the second wave of the H1N1 flu virus outbreak has tapered off, Occupational Health & Safety is no longer tracking absences due to flu-related illness.

Staff

All staff are reminded to continue to report absences to their supervisor, though there is no longer a need to advise if you have the flu. As well, Human Resources once again requires a medical note from staff who are absent for more than three days, regardless of the reason, as per our usual policy.

Students

Students are asked to continue to advise their program if they will be absent. Doctor's notes are not required for missed classes for a period of up to five school days. In the event of missed compulsory evaluations (e.g. test, exams), please consult with your program as a note from your doctor may still be required.

Apprentices

Apprentices are asked to continue to advise their program if they are absent with the flu. Advanced Education and Technology has asked that we work with apprentices who have been absent for up to seven days due to flu-like illness to enable them to complete their training.

Help prevent the spread

OH&S would like to thank everyone for their diligence in reporting flu-related absences, and in taking steps to help prevent the spread of influenza.

Health Canada advises that a third wave of H1N1 influenza could emerge. If this does occur, we will advise at that time if we once again need to track flu-related absences.

In the meantime, we ask for your continued vigilance in preventing the spread of influenza. Stay home from work or school if you have flu-like symptoms. Practice cough and sneeze etiquette, and wash your hands frequently.

What the pandemic means for NAIT updated

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 03:06:35 -0700

What's new on this page: NAIT suspends flu-related absence tracking

With the second wave of H1N1 virus tapering off, NAIT is no longer tracking flu-related absences. Health Canada advises that a third wave of H1N1 influenza could emerge. If this does occur, we will advise at that time if we once again need to track flu-related absences.

Please note that NAIT is at a Level 0 under the Pandemic Plan (pdf), meaning day-to-day operations continue as normal. We do, however, ask for your continued vigilance in preventing the spread of influenza. Stay home from work or school if you have flu-like symptoms. Practice cough and sneeze etiquette, and wash your hands frequently.

As well, managers and supervisors are asked to develop and review Business Continuity Plans.

Pandemic preparations at NAIT
We are taking steps to prevent the spread of the flu for as long as possible.

NAIT has a Pandemic Plan (pdf) and is monitoring the flu through local, national and international agencies.
NAIT has established a reporting system to track flu-related absences. Staff are asked to report absences to their supervisor, and students are asked to report absences to their program assistant. Every department and program is required to report absences online daily.
All managers, supervisors and instructors are reminded that they must have Business Continuity Plans for their areas. Appendix 1 of the Pandemic Plan (pdf) is a revised template for use when developing these plans. Anyone who needs assistance developing Business Continuity Plans should contact OH&S consultant Les Kiat (780.491.3913).
NAIT has established a website at www.nait.ca/h1n1 to house the latest information on the NAIT response to the H1N1 influenza pandemic and on pandemic planning. You can subscribe to the RSS feed to receive updates when a new message is posted to this site.
A communications campaign is underway to promote best practices for preventing the spread of influenza and to provide updates on the NAIT response to the H1N1 influenza virus.
Hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes and tissues are available for order through Central Stores, and supervisors and instructors are encouraged to order supplies for their employees and students. » Information for staff on ordering supplies
Twenty-nine hand sanitizing units are mounted around NAIT.
NAIT's janitors provide a high standard of cleaning on a daily basis.

Commonly asked questions about pandemic influenza

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 03:38:11 -0700

What's new on this page: OH&S is no longer tracking flu-related absences, though staff and students should still report absences to their supervisors and programs, respectively.

1. What is the H1N1 influenza pandemic?
2. What is the best way to prevent the spread of influenza?
3. What is the proper way to wash your hands?
4. What should you do if you think you have symptoms of H1N1 influenza virus?
5. Should staff and students who have been exposed to someone with the H1N1 virus, but who are not sick come to work/school?
6. How often are classrooms, washrooms and other public areas being cleaned?
7. What is Food Services doing to prevent the spread of infection in the service areas around campus?
8. What can customers of Food Services do to reduce the spread of infection?

What is the H1N1 influenza pandemic?
For answers to frequently asked questions about the virus, prevention, the vaccine and how to care for yourself and others, please refer to Pandemic H1N1 Influenza Virus - Common Questions, published by Alberta Health and Wellness, and Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Information for the General Public, published by Alberta Health Services.

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What is the best way to prevent the spread of influenza?
Wash your hands frequently using soap and water, especially after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose. When soap and water are not available, hand sanitizers are an excellent choice to use if hands are not visibly dirty. Use of hand sanitizers should not replace proper handwashing.

Cough or sneeze into your sleeve rather than your hand. » Watch the video, Why Don't we do it in our Sleeves?

Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth after shaking hands or touching hard surfaces like counters and door handles or other surfaces that may harbour influenza and other viruses.

Get immunized. Alberta Health Services recommends all Albertans six months of age or older get the H1N1 immunization, which is now being offered at clinics across the province. As well, Alberta Health Services is offering the seasonal influenza vaccine at the immunization clinics. Alberta Health Services advises that the seasonal flu shot will be most beneficial to those at increased risk of complications due to seasonal influenza. Visit Alberta Health Services to learn more about the H1N1 and seasonal immunization programs, and to search for immunization clinic locations and dates.
Evidence shows that wearing masks is not effective in preventing the spread of influenza in the general public.

Supervisors and instructors are asked to make infection control supplies available for their employees and students. Hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes and tissues can be ordered through Central Stores. » Information for staff on ordering supplies

Stay home if you have flu-like illness for seven days after your symptoms begin or until you are feeling well enough to resume normal activities, whichever is shorter.
- Symptoms such as a cough may continue longer than seven days. If you are otherwise healthy, you are unlikely to be infectious, and it is appropriate for you to return to work or school.
- People who receive antiviral treatment may be infectious for a shorter time. They may return to work or school when they are symptom free, and after they have received three full days of the antiviral medication.
- Refer to Alberta Health and Wellness or Alberta Health Services for more on influenza self-care.
- Staff members should report absences to their supervisors (though they no longer need to advise if they will be absent due to the flu). Students should advise their program if they will be absent.
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What is the proper way to wash your hands?
- Step by step instructions for how to wash your hands (pdf)
Proper handwashing is the most effective way to reduce the spread of infections. It will readily inactivate the virus on the hands.

Influenza viruses expelled in respiratory droplets can settle on objects in the immediate environment and have been shown to survive on hard, non-porous surfaces for 24 to 48 hours, and on cloth, paper and tissue for eight to 12 hours, and on hands for five minutes.

Wash your hands after
- Having contact with a person who has influenza or with his/her immediate environment
- Going to the washroom
- Coughing or sneezing
- Blowing your nose
- Handling garbage
Wash your hands before
- Eating
- Brushing your teeth
- Inserting/ removing contact lenses
- Touching your eyes, nose or mouth
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What should you do if you think you have symptoms of H1N1 influenza virus?
Refer to Alberta Health and Wellness for information on influenza self-care.

If you have the flu or flu-like illness, stay home from work or school for seven days after your symptoms begin or until you are feeling well enough to resume normal activities, whichever is shorter.

Symptoms such as a cough may continue longer than seven days, if you are otherwise healthy, you are unlikely to be infectious, and it is appropriate for you to return to work or school.

People who receive antiviral treatment may be infectious for a shorter time. They may return to work or school when they are symptom free, and after they have received three full days of the antiviral medication.

Staff should report absences to their supervisor and students should report absences to their program.

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Should staff and students who have been exposed to someone with the H1N1 virus, but who are not sick come to work/school?

Yes. Monitor yourself for symptoms of influenza illness for four days. H1N1 appears to have an incubation period of four days. The incubation period is the time from when you're infected until symptoms appear. If are well, no further action is required. If you develop symptoms, stay home and practice self-care.

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How often are classrooms, washrooms and other public areas being cleaned?
NAIT's janitors provide a high standard of cleaning on a daily basis. Janitors strive to wipe down high-touch surfaces in public areas, including door knobs, panic bars, light switches, taps and ledges throughout the institute daily.

Washrooms are thoroughly cleaned once a day, with a spot clean once a day to wipe down high-touch surfaces, including taps, levers on dispensers and flush mechanisms.

Office entrances, reception areas and lunch rooms are cleaned daily.

Classroom desks are cleaned once a week, with occasional spot cleanings throughout the week (to wipe up coffee spills, for example). Within staff offices, telephones and desks that are uncluttered are sanitized once a week.

Computer keyboards, vending machines and ATM machines are not cleaned.

We are asking students and employees to do their part to keep surfaces clean. Supervisors and instructors are asked to make infection control supplies available for their employees and students. Hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes and tissues can be ordered through Central Stores. » Information for staff on ordering supplies

Consider using disinfecting wipes to clean shared desks, meeting room tables and computer keyboards and mice before use. Disinfecting wipes are being made available in the Computer Commons, computer labs in the Project Factory and computers in the Library.

Please follow manufacturers' directions for use on all infection control supplies.

Influenza viruses expelled in respiratory droplets can settle on objects in the immediate environment and have been shown to survive on hard, non-porous surfaces for 24 to 48 hours, and on cloth, paper and tissue for eight to 12 hours, and on hands for five minutes.

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What is Food Services doing to prevent the spread of infection in the service areas around campus?
Food Services staff maintain strict safe food handling practices as directed by Alberta's provincial standards. These include strict handwashing procedures, good personal health and hygiene practices, such as having employees stay home when sick, and food safety practices, such as temperature control and monitoring.

The use of Quat sanitizing solutions for regular cleaning is a consistent practice in all Food Services areas.

Access and handling of cutlery is limited by having staff serve and stock cutlery with handles up for easy and safe access.

Food Services has hand sanitizing stations for our staff to use in addition to handwashing. There are also hand sanitizing stations for customers to use before entering cafeterias.

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What can customers of Food Services do to reduce the spread of infection?
Customers are encouraged to assist in reducing the spread of germs through the following practices:
- Maintain diligent handwashing and personal hygiene practices
- Use hand sanitizing products before entering Food Services areas. Sanitizing stations are available around campus.
- Use tongs and utensils provided to handle self-serve products
- Avoid touching drinking water taps with hands or tops of refillable containers
- Take your office mug and water container home every night for proper cleaning
- Touch only what you need - cutlery handles, lids, etc.
- Clear away meal garbage and leftovers
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Frequently asked questions for students and apprentices updated

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 03:29:54 -0700

What's new on this page: NAIT is no longer tracking flu-related absences.

As you may know, flu can be spread easily from person to person. Therefore, we are taking steps to prevent the spread of flu at NAIT for as long as possible, but we need your help to accomplish this.

At this time, the most important factors in controlling the spread of H1N1 influenza virus are

The early identification of ill students and staff » Know the symptoms
Staying home from work or school if you have flu-like symptoms
Practising cough/sneeze etiquette and frequent handwashing

What should you do if you have flu-like symptoms?

Alberta Health and Wellness advises anyone with the flu to stay home from work or school for seven days after your symptoms begin or until you are feeling well enough to resume normal activities, whichever is shorter. This applies to all students and apprentices.

Symptoms such as a cough may continue longer than seven days. If you are otherwise healthy, you are unlikely to be infectious, and it is appropriate for you to return to school.

People who receive antiviral treatment may be infectious for a shorter time. They may return to school when they are symptom free and after they have received three full days of the antiviral medication.

Please refer to Alberta Health and Wellness or Alberta Health Services for more on self-care.

Please advise your program if you are ill and will be absent from class. In the event of flu-like symptoms, doctor's notes are not required for missed classes for a period of up to five school days. In the event of missed compulsory evaluations (e.g. test, exams) due to flu-like symptoms, please consult with your program as a note from your doctor may still be required.
What should you do if you miss class due to flu-like illness? What if you miss a compulsory evaluation, such as a test or exam, or an assignment deadline?

We understand students who have the flu will end up missing several days of class; students will not be penalized for this. However, students are responsible for making up missed school work.

If you are absent, follow course outlines and, where possible, complete readings and assignments. Plan to share notes with a classmate if one of you is absent.

Report your flu-related absence to your program daily.

If you miss a compulsory evaluation, such as a test or exam, or an assignment deadline, please contact your instructor to arrange to make up the missed evaluation or assignment.

Please note, in the event of flu-like symptoms, doctor's notes are not required for missed classes for a period of up to five school days. In the event of missed compulsory evaluations due to flu-like symptoms, please consult with your program as a note from your doctor may still be required.

Apprentices

Advanced Education and Technology has asked that we work with apprentices who have been absent for up to seven days due to flu-like illness to enable them to complete their training.

However, given the short duration of apprenticeship courses, apprentices who are absent for longer than seven days will need to be assessed in conjunction with their local Apprenticeship and Industry Training contact on a one-on-one basis to decide if their potential for success in their course has been jeopardized enough to warrant rescheduling their training.

Frequently asked questions for staff updated

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 03:25:30 -0700

What's new on this page: NAIT has suspended flu-related absence tracking and HR once again requires doctor's notes from staff who are away for more than three days, regardless of the reason.

1. What can you do to protect your employees or students during a pandemic?
2. How can staff order infection control supplies?
3. What provisions exist for staff who are ill?
4. What provisions exist for staff who have to stay home to care for sick relatives?

What can you do to protect your employees or students during a pandemic?

Set a good example. Make good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette a habit, and stay home if you have flu-like symptoms.

Not only should you stay home if you're sick, but you should send home any employees or students who have flu-like symptoms.

Alberta Health and Wellness advises anyone with flu-like symptoms to stay home from work or school for seven days after your symptoms begin or until you are feeling well enough to resume normal activities, whichever is shorter.

Symptoms such as a cough may continue longer than seven days, if you are otherwise healthy, you are unlikely to be infectious, and it is appropriate for you to return to work or school.

People who receive antiviral treatment may be infectious for a shorter time. They may return to work or school when they are symptom free, and after they have received three full days of the antiviral medication.

Refer to Alberta Health and Wellness or Alberta Health Services for more on self-care.

Supervisors and instructors are asked to make infection control supplies available for their employees and students. Hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes and tissues can be ordered through Central Stores.

Consider using disinfecting wipes to clean shared desks, meeting room tables and computer keyboards and mice before use. Disinfecting wipes are being made available in the Computer Commons, computer labs in the Project Factory and computers in the Library.

Please follow manufacturers' directions for use on all infection control supplies.

Influenza viruses expelled in respiratory droplets can settle on objects in the immediate environment and have been shown to survive on hard, non-porous surfaces for 24 to 48 hours, and on cloth, paper and tissue for eight to 12 hours, and on hands for five minutes.

As well, instructors can share this three-slide presentation, Pandemic influenza: Everyone has a Role to Play in Preventing the Spread, with their students during class, and supervisors can share this with employees during staff meetings.
- PDF of the presentation
- PowerPoint of the presentation
You can also share this five-minute video on cough and sneeze etiquette with your students and employees, Why Don't we do it in our Sleeves? The Library has a copy of this video on DVD. To book the DVD, contact the Library by one of the methods below.
- Phone the Library AV Desk at ext. 8788
- Email lrlending@nait.ca with your name, the date you wish to view the program, the date you will return it to the Library, and your LR sub-centre location.
- Complete the booking form
- Library catalogue record
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How can staff order infection control supplies?

Materials Management has been directed to maintain extra stocks of personal care supplies due to the increased demand anticipated during the upcoming flu season.

Please note that Materials Management now has a new item: Lysol brand 4-in-1 disinfecting wipes. These can be used on all of your work surfaces, including doorknobs, drawer pulls, telephones and computer keyboards.

Check out the Flu Season Mini-catalogue (pdf).

Please allow two to three working days to receive your supplies from Central Stores.

Remember to follow manufacturers' directions for use on all infection control supplies.

Material safety data sheets
- Lysol brand 4-in-1 disinfecting wipes (pdf)
- Purell hand sanitizer (pdf)
- Purell instant hand sanitizer (pdf)
- Purell instant hand sanitizer foam (pdf)
- Purell instant hand sanitizer with dermaglycerin system (pdf)
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What provisions exist for staff who are ill?
NAIT has provisions for illness through the collective agreements negotiated with NASA (Section 23, pdf) and AUPE (Article 23, pdf). Staff not covered under a collective agreement have provisions for illness similar to those for AUPE.
- Read (pdf) the process for reporting a casual illness (if you are away three days or less)
- Read (pdf) the process for reporting a general illness (if you area away for four days or more).
- Please note, Human Resources once again requires a medical note from staff who are absent for more than three days, regardless of the reason, as per our usual policy.
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What provisions exist for staff who have to stay home to care for sick relatives?
If you need to make arrangements for the care of a family member there are provisions in the collective agreements.

For AUPE employees and staff members not covered under a collective agreement, the provisions of Article 29 (Special Leave) allow for providing for the care of immediate family members.

For NASA members, the provisions of Section 19 (Personal Emergency Leave) will allow for these emergencies (up to three days for illnesses in the immediate family).

If you need more time off to care for family members, you may also request from your supervisor vacation or time off without pay.

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Everyone has a role to play in preventing the spread of influenza

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 03:40:22 -0700

What's new on this page: This page has been updated to reflect the fact that OH&S is no longer tracking flu-related absences.

At this time, the most important factors in controlling the spread of H1N1 influenza virus are

The early identification of ill students and staff. » Click for symptoms
Staying home from work or school if you have flu-like symptoms. » Click for more information
Practising cough/sneeze etiquette and frequent handwashing.

Everyone has a role to play

Wash your hands frequently using soap and water, especially after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose. When soap and water are not available, hand sanitizers are an excellent choice to use if hands are not visibly dirty. Use of hand sanitizers should not replace proper handwashing. » Click to read more
Cough or sneeze into your sleeve rather than your hand. » Watch the video, Why Don't we do it in our Sleeves?
Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth after shaking hands or touching hard surfaces like counters and door handles or other surfaces that may harbour influenza and other viruses.
Immunization is one of our best defences against influenza. Alberta Health Services recommends all Albertans six months of age or older get the H1N1 immunization, which is now being offered at clinics across the province.
As well, Alberta Health Services is offering the seasonal influenza vaccine at the immunization clinics. Alberta Health Services advises that the seasonal flu shot will be most beneficial to those at increased risk of complications due to seasonal influenza.
Visit Alberta Health Services to learn more about the H1N1 and seasonal immunization programs, and to search for immunization clinic locations and dates.
Evidence shows that wearing masks is not effective in preventing the spread of influenza in the general public.
We are asking students and employees to do their part in keeping surfaces clean. Supervisors and instructors are asked to make infection control supplies available for their employee and students. Hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes and tissues can be ordered through Central Stores. » Click for information for staff on ordering supplies

Consider using disinfecting wipes to clean shared desks, meeting room tables and computer keyboards and mice before use. Disinfecting wipes are being made available in the Computer Commons, computer labs in the Project Factory and computers in the Library. Please follow manufacturers' directions for use for all infection control supplies.

If you have the flu or flu-like illness, stay home from work or school for seven days after your symptoms begin or until you are feeling well enough to resume normal activities, whichever is shorter.

Symptoms such as a cough may continue longer than seven days, if you are otherwise healthy, you are unlikely to be infectious, and it is appropriate for you to return to work or school.
People who receive antiviral treatment may be infectious for a shorter time. They may return to work or school when they are symptom free, and after they have received three full days of the antiviral medication.
Refer to Alberta Health and Wellness or Alberta Health Services for more on what to do.

It's not too late to get your H1N1 vaccine

Wed, 6 Jan 2010 02:55:19 -0700

OH&S would like to remind staff and students that Alberta Health Services recommends all Albertans over six months of age get vaccinated against the H1N1 influenza virus.

While the second wave of the pandemic appears to be declining, the virus will continue to circulate in our communities throughout the winter. All Albertans are encouraged to get the H1N1 vaccine to lessen the impact of the current wave and of any further waves of activity.

Seasonal flu shot

As well, Alberta Health Services encourages individuals who are considered high-risk to get the seasonal influenza vaccine.

Where to get vaccinated

Visit Alberta Health Services to learn more about the H1N1 and seasonal immunization programs and to search for immunization clinic locations and dates. The H1N1 vaccine is now also available from some physician offices and some pharmacies.

Travel and the H1N1 virus

The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends people get vaccinated against H1N1 and seasonal flu before travelling, and to delay travel if they have an acute respiratory illness.

As well, the agency advises travellers to contact the embassy or consulate of their destination country in Canada to confirm whether proof of H1N1 vaccination is required for entry.

Read the Public Health Agency of Canada's Travel Health Notice and information for travellers to understand what this might mean for you and your travel plans.

With your help we may be able to make a difference in controlling how the virus spreads at NAIT.

NAIT Pandemic Plan updated

Tue, 5 Jan 2010 09:50:12 -0700

What's new on this page: NAIT's Pandemic Plan was updated December, 2009.

Everyone has a role to play in preventing the spread of influenza

NAIT's Pandemic Plan (pdf) sets out how the institute will respond to the H1N1 influenza pandemic. The plan focuses on infection control. Everyone has responsibilities under the plan. Please familiarize yourself with what you can do to prevent the spread of influenza and your responsibilities under the Pandemic Plan.

All staff and students are encouraged to review their roles and responsibilities, as laid out in Appendix 5 of the plan and posted below. Please review the information sheet that pertains to you.

Business continuity planning

All managers, supervisors and instructors are required to develop Business Continuity Plans for their areas. Appendix 1 (pdf) of the Pandemic Plan is a revised template for use when developing these plans.

Anyone who needs assistance developing Business Continuity Plans should contact OH&S consultant Les Kiat (780.491.3913).