| As we approach the dawn of the Swine/H1N1 era | | | | considered by employers as they plan how the |
| now is the time to prepare for what lies ahead. Solid | | | | organization will respond to a potential pandemic (e.g., |
| protocols for all staff members and spa guests will be | | | | immuno-compromised individuals and pregnant |
| critical in preventing the spread of Swine Flu. | | | | women). Be aware of their concerns about pay, leave, |
| This flu season spas must take additional precautions | | | | safety and health. Informed employees who feel safe |
| in their current housekeeping protocols and inform | | | | at work are less likely to be absent. Provide your |
| employees as well as customers regarding additional | | | | employees and customers with easy access to |
| steps being taken to protect them. These steps will | | | | infection control supplies, such as soap, hand sanitizers, |
| allow you to prevent the outbreak of the Swine flu in | | | | personal protective equipment (such as gloves or |
| the spa reducing the necessity to change or cancel | | | | surgical masks), tissues, and office cleaning supplies. |
| appointments. Keep in mind employees could be | | | | How Influenza Can Spread Between People |
| absent because they are sick, must care for sick | | | | Influenza is thought to be primarily spread through large |
| family members or for children if schools or day care | | | | droplets (droplet transmission) that directly contact the |
| centers are closed. | | | | nose, mouth or eyes. These droplets are produced |
| Be Prepared: | | | | when infected people cough, sneeze or talk, sending |
| - Develop a sick leave policy that does not penalize | | | | the relatively large infectious droplets and very small |
| sick employees, thereby encouraging employees who | | | | sprays (aerosols) into the nearby air and into contact |
| have influenza-related symptoms (e.g., fever, | | | | with other people. Precautions |
| headache, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, | | | | - Provide customers with tissues and trash |
| muscle aches, or upset stomach) to stay home so | | | | receptacles, and with a place to wash or disinfect their |
| that they do not infect other employees. | | | | hands. |
| - Identify business-essential positions and people | | | | - Keep work surfaces, telephones, computer |
| required to sustain business-necessary functions and | | | | equipment and other frequently touched surfaces and |
| operations. Prepare to cross-train or develop ways to | | | | office equipment clean. Be sure that any cleaner used |
| function in the absence of these positions. | | | | is safe and will not harm your employees or your |
| - Modify (temporarily) your spas cancellation policy so | | | | equipment. Use only disinfectants registered by the U.S. |
| guests are not penalized for canceling appointments at | | | | Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and follow all |
| the last minute. | | | | directions and safety precautions indicated on the label. |
| - Encouraging employees to obtain a seasonal | | | | - Extra precautions should be used in Steam Rooms, |
| influenza vaccine (this helps to prevent illness from | | | | Saunas, Locker Rooms and common areas. |
| seasonal influenza strains that may continue to | | | | - Discourage your employees from using other |
| circulate). | | | | employees' phones, desks, offices or other work tools |
| - Display signage for customers to take extra | | | | and equipment. |
| precautions and acknowledge the spa has additional | | | | This is not an exhaustive list of preparedness that your |
| products available to them. | | | | spa may need to implement, it is a beginning, and the |
| Recognize that, in the course of normal daily life, all | | | | time is now to start preparing. This is also an |
| employees will have non-occupational risk factors at | | | | opportunity to promote your spa's good will, by giving |
| home and in community settings that should be | | | | away sample bags filled with antibacterial gel, tissue, |
| reduced to the extent possible. Some employees will | | | | coupons, promo materials, etc. |
| also have individual risk factors that should be | | | | |