Although there have been no significant developments this week a number of unions have reported they are getting a large number of enquiries regarding this. At present what union representatives should do is ensure that their employer has an action plan for dealing with any future pandemic. They should also work with their employer to ensure that proper measures are in place to reduce prevention. This is encouraging proper hygiene through good washing and making sure that anyone with any possible symptoms of flu does not come to work until cleared by their GP. Details on all these points can be found in the TUC Guidance.

In addition a number of queries have been raised over the issues of gloves, masks and the use of anti-virals. The TUC does not recommend the use of gloves or masks in most workplaces for a variety of reasons. Gloves do not prevent infection as people will still touch their skin with the gloves and then touch another surface or person. Latex gloves carry significant risks of producing an allergic reaction and were they to be used during an outbreak there would be problems of disposal. There is also no evidence that, outside health care situations, the general use of facemasks has any actual effect on protecting people or reducing the speed of a pandemic’s development. Although the evidence from the earlier SARS outbreak suggests that people will seek to use them regardless of any advice on their effectiveness, they are not generally recommended by health professionals. In addition, there is evidence that some people think that if they wear a mask, even if they are ill, they can still come to work. This could lead to increased risk. This is not however the case in health care and where there is likely to be close or frequent contact with symptomatic patients. The HSE have published new advice on this at:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/news/2009/swineflu.htm

The TUC also strongly advised against the issuing of anti-virals by employers especially for preventative purposes. In addition to the advice in the TUC guidance, the Engineering Employers federation have now issued the following advice “There are specific arrangements for healthcare professionals, but the advice for the vast majority of companies is not to buy stocks of Tamiflu or Relenza.  Both drugs are antiretrovirals, not vaccines.  They are only effective on people who are in the early stages of the virus, so you could give them to all of your staff today but by next week they would be unprotected.  Realistically the H1N1 strain is going to be around for months, not days.  In any case, the UK has 34 million doses of the drugs – more than enough to go around; anyone who needs treatment will get it promptly simply by calling their GP or NHS direct.  Bear in mind that Tamiflu and Relenza are prescription drugs, it is therefore illegal for anyone who is not medically qualified to give them to another person.”.

The TUC is currently updating its guidance and it will be issued to unions shortly.