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