WHSC: Infectious diseases, reducing workplace spread, improving indoor air
July 29, 2024
| Did you know that infectious agents possess unique characteristics that set them apart from other health and safety hazards? They are living organisms, small in size, and diverse, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Through contact with infected individuals or animals, as well as through indirect inhalation of airborne pathogens, infectious diseases, particularly respiratory viruses and their transmission, pose one of the most significant health challenges confronting the world today. Learn how you can help mitigate workplace spread through infectious diseases and indoor air training programs with Workers Health & Safety Centre (WHSC) today. |
 |
| The past several years has shown that infectious diseases, specifically respiratory viruses have wreaked havoc and increased occupational health and safety concerns globally. Workers can be exposed to various infectious agents at work, which can survive on objects, in the air, or in water and spread between people and locations. These agents primarily enter the body through ingestion, absorption, injection, and most commonly, inhalation of droplets and airborne particles into the respiratory system. Workers may not detect inhalation of bacteria, viruses, or molds as these substances are typically odorless and tasteless. Infectious agents causing disease may be more or less present depending on the sector, type of work and level of exposure. For instance, a health care practitioner in a hospital or long-term care home would be exposed to more and different infectious agents compared to a teacher in a school or a construction worker working outside. However, respiratory infections and viruses can be seen as the exception affecting anyone and everyone. Some of the most widespread respiratory infections are the common cold, typically triggered by the rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) leading to RSV infections, and viral influenza and COVID-19. Symptoms can range from mild to serious and life threatening as we’ve seen over the years with influenza and more recently with COVID-19. Measles, also highly contagious and transmissible through inhalation has made a resurgence this past year in not only Europe but here in Canada. Ontario experienced its first death in decades – unvaccinated children remain at risk, with symptoms of the disease being potentially worse in adults. As we know, respiratory viruses are airborne, adding to health risks of other indoor air contaminants. Did you know that indoor air pollution is two times higher than outdoor air pollution? Workers today often find themselves in closed buildings with outdated HVAC systems that recirculate polluted air. So, what would prevent this? What works? And what’s reasonable? Fortunately, among other prevention measures increased ventilation and air filtration offer reasonable and effective safeguards against hazardous exposures —employers can and should take to fulfill their general duty in health and safety law to protect worker health. Start with trainingWorkers Health & Safety Centre (WHSC) Infectious Diseases and Indoor Air programs offer training to help workers, supervisors and workplace representatives proactively train, recognize, assess and make recommendations to control and eliminate exposure to hazard sources. Knowledge is indeed power, boost your workplace health and safety efforts. Infectious Diseases Participants examine the various types of infectious diseases as well as their routes of transmission in this instructor-led newly updated virtual three-hour course. Practical means of recognizing and assessing potential hazardous exposures are reviewed. Participants review practical examples of controlling exposure to the microorganisms responsible for the development of infectious diseases such as isolation precautions and proper cleaning and maintenance. Relevant legislation, including WHMIS and the Regulation for Health Care and Residential Facilities are also discussed. Indoor Air This instructor-led virtual three-hour module is designed to help workplace representatives proactively recognize, assess and make recommendations to control or better yet eliminate indoor pollution sources. Considering new research and developments, this program covers hazards such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ozone, formaldehyde, pesticides, legionella and viruses such as the one that causes COVID-19. Relevant legislation and measures to combat these hazards is also discussed. |
| For more information about on-site delivery contact a training services representative in your area |
| Need more information? Contact a WHSC training services representative in your area. Email: contactus@whsc.on.ca Visit: whsc.on.ca Connect with and follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube |
