Required H1N1 Exposure Control Plans

All districts and all schools in the province are required to have current and effective Exposure Control Plans (ECP) in place, particularly in light of the H1N1 pandemic. BCPSEA has given direction to school boards regarding what is required by the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation.

For an ECP to be considered effective:
· The ECP must be written and available for review;
· The ECP must be distributed to all staff;
· The ECP must be communicated to all staff;
· Staff must be trained on the requirements and procedures of the ECP; and
· The employer must ensure the ECP is functioning as intended.

The plan has been updated to reflect the current understanding of H1N1 and recommendations by WorkSafeBC.

Facts About H1N1 Influenza

Symptoms
Seasonal flu affects people to varying degrees, with symptoms including headache, fever, fatigue, sore throat, and runny nose. In some cases, secondary infections such as pneumonia may develop. Symptoms of H1N1 influenza are likely to include high fever (higher than 38°C) and a cough.

Transmission

The BC Centre for Disease Control advises that influenza is communicable for 24 hours before the onset of symptoms and 3–5 days afterward (this may be longer in some children and some adults). H1N1 influenza is spread in the same way that seasonal influenza is spread.

Responsibilities (Staff and Students)

Stay home when you’re sick or have influenza symptoms.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick.

Wash your hands.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids, eat nutritious foods, and avoid smoking, which may increase the risk of serious consequences if you do contract the flu.

If you have an influenza-like illness, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. See a health care provider if your symptoms become worse but call ahead of time to let them know you have an influenza-like illness.

If Staff or Students Show Symptoms of Influenza

If staff or students are ill with influenza, they should stay home. If they develop symptoms of influenza while at school or work, they should leave the school or workplace. Schools should promptly isolate students or staff who become ill with symptoms of influenza while in school in a room/area separate from others with adequate supervision until they can go home.

Schools will follow the protocols in place to notify parents/guardians if their child becomes ill with influenza while at school.

Children who become ill with influenza while at school will be sent home with their parent or guardian and not travel on school buses. If there is no other option and the child must ride a school bus, it is recommended that staff ensure the child sits on a seat by themselves and is able to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue.

Staff and students should only return to school or the workplace once they have recovered from influenza and no longer show symptoms. Staff should inform their manager or supervisor if they are ill with influenza.

Health Monitoring

Staff will promptly report any symptoms of the H1N1 influenza to their manager/supervisor and the first aid attendant.