October 09 Issue - Employee Monthly Magazine
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Dr. Michelle Eaton: Maintaining a healthy workplace during flu season
Photo by LeRoy N. Sanchez
Autumn in the southwest means an explosion of fall colors, kids going back to school, and crisp weather. Unfortunately, it’s also the onset of flu season.
As one of the premier occupational medicine practices within the Department of Energy complex and nationally, Occupational Medicine stands ready to assist our employees. Our goal is prevention and management of occupational and environmental injury and illness, coupled with the promotion of health and productivity of workers, their families, and our communities. To ensure that the Laboratory workforce is prepared for the upcoming flu season, Occupational Medicine is working with local schools, city and state officials, and the New Mexico Department of Health to provide employees the most current information on seasonal and H1N1 flu.
All of us play a role in maintaining a healthy workplace. Prepare for the upcoming flu season by taking a few minutes to learn the latest news and facts about the H1N1 virus and what to do if you get sick. Bookmark the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services flu preparedness Web site at www.flu.gov.
Follow the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations and cover your coughs and sneezes and frequently wash your hands with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Frequently clean all commonly touched surfaces in the workplace, such as workstations, countertops, and doorknobs.
One of the most important things you can do to help maintain a healthy workplace is to stay home if you are sick with a fever and
cough or sore throat. The CDC recommends that workers who are sick stay home until at least 24 hours after their temperature falls below 100 degrees Fahrenheit and signs of fever, such as chills, feeling warm, sweating, or looking flushed disappear.
Occupational Medicine supplied each directorate with an influenza information packet filled with information for dissemination to
employees. The packet contains posters as well as specific steps that employees can take to stay healthy this flu season.
Be sure to visit Occupational Medicine’s Web site at http://int.lanl.gov/health/occmed/swine_flu.shtml (internal only) frequently for updates on vaccine
availability as well as answers to commonly asked questions. You can sign up to receive periodic e-mails on health news and topics. Or
call Occupational Medicine at 7-7890. At this time, the New Mexico Department of Health has not determined if the Laboratory will be provided with H1N1 vaccine.
During this flu season and year-round, know that Occupational Medicine remains devoted to the health and productivity of all Laboratory workers.
— Dr. Michelle Eaton, Occupational Medicine Division leader
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