15.3 Transmission Of High Risk Communicable Diseases Procedure

Confidentiality

The following basic hygiene procedures are to be implemented following an at-risk incident (eg. skin breakage/injury (with external bleeding) etc.) and prior to providing first aid:

• put on single-use gloves if not already wearing them
• prevent bleeding by applying pressure to the wound until it stops, using a dry sterile single-use dressing
• apply an additional dressing, bandage very firmly if bleeding continues, and call for medical assistance
• handle both the dressing and the contaminated implement carefully to avoid coming into contact with blood or body fluids/substances from the person being treated or the instrument
• place contaminated dressings or swabs in a plastic bag (tie-up/seal the bag) before disposing of them in a general waste bin
• thoroughly wash hands with soap and hot water after treating wounds or handling contaminated dressings, then pat dry with a paper towel
• discard single-use instruments into a plastic bag (tie-up/seal the bag) and then into a general waste bin
• document the incident and all actions taken on the Austraffic Intranet (Notify, Injury) or on RM43 Injury Notification Form

Corona Virus (COVID-19)

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Most common symptoms: (source https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_3)

• fever
• cough
• tiredness
• loss of taste or smell

Less common symptoms:

• sore throat
• headache
• aches and pains
• diarrhoea
• a rash on skin, or discolouration of fingers or toes
• red or irritated eyes

Serious symptoms:

• difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• loss of speech or mobility, or confusion
• chest pain

Seek immediate medical attention if you have serious symptoms. Always call before visiting your doctor or health facility.

People with mild symptoms who are otherwise healthy should manage their symptoms at home and get a COVID test immediately.

You are most infectious in the 2 days before your symptoms start and while you have acute symptoms (such as a runny nose, sore throat, fever, cough).  It is recommended and we encourage all staff (office and field based) to isolate for at least 5 days and until you don’t have symptoms anymore or are RAT negative.  

You may be infectious for up to 10 days.

Some people with COVID-19 do not develop symptoms at all but are still able to infect others.

Please ensure you are familiar with the health recommendations of the State relevant to where you are undertaking workplace/worksite activities at all times.  And DO NOT hesitate to contact your Office or Survey Manager with any questions, concerns or for access to more information. 

We value collaboration in managing a safe workplace for all.  

To protect yourself and your loved ones:

•     Stay up to date with recommended COVID-19 vaccinations.
•     Stay home if you have cold or flu symptoms and get tested.
•     Wear a mask in crowded, indoor places.
•     Talk with your doctor now if you are at higher risk of severe illness. You may be eligible for antiviral medicines.
•     Don't visit people who are at higher risk if you have symptoms or COVID-19.

For more information relevant to your state or territory:

• Victoria https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-covid-19-victoria
• NSW https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/testing-managing
• SA https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/conditions/infectious+diseases/covid-19/testing/testing
• QLD https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/health-advice
• WA https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/COVID19
• TAS https://www.health.tas.gov.au/health-topics/coronavirus-covid-19

What is influenza (flu)?

Source: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/influenza_factsheet.aspx

Influenza (flu) is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. There are two main types of human influenza virus: A and B. Within these two types, there are many sub-types and strains. Influenza is more serious than the common cold. Severe cases can result in breathing difficulties due to pneumonia. Other complication from influenza include inflammation of the heart or brain, and sepsis (where the body has an extreme response to an infection).

People can get influenza at any time throughout the year but is most common in autumn and winter. In most flu seasons there is more than one strain circulating in the community.

What are the symptoms of flu?

People with influenza often experience some or all the following symptoms:

• fever and chills
• cough, sore throat and runny or stuffy nose
• muscle aches, joint pains, headaches and fatigue (feeling very tired)
• nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea (more common in children than adults).

Symptoms of influenza may last for more than a week. Some people only have mild symptoms for a few days, particularly if they have some immunity from a previous infection or vaccination. Other people can get very sick from the influenza and may have complications such as lung infection (pneumonia) or severe breathing difficulties requiring hospitalisation. These complications can occur in anyone but are most likely in those at higher risk of severe illness.

How is flu spread?

Influenza is mostly spread by droplets made when people with influenza cough or sneeze. It can also be spread by touching a surface or object that virus droplets have landed on from an infected person. People with influenza can spread it to others before they are sick as well as while they are sick.

If you have flu symptoms, or have been diagnosed with influenza, it is important to stay home and avoid contact with others until your symptoms have gone.

How is flu diagnosed?

The only way to confirm a diagnosis of influenza is to have a PCR (nose and throat swab) test or with a trivalent rapid antigen test (search/filter 'RSV'). 

How long are people infectious?

• People with flu can be infectious from the day before their symptoms start.
• Adults are most infectious in the first 3-5 days of their illness.
• Children can remain infectious for 7-10 days.
• Young children and people with weakened immune systems may be infectious for longer.

What is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)?

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a virus that causes infection in the lungs and airways. It is highly contagious. It is one of the most common causes of respiratory (breathing) infections in children, including the common cold.

What are the symptoms of RSV?

In most people, RSV causes mild respiratory illness. You usually first notice symptoms around 5 days after being exposed to the virus. You may feel increasingly unwell over the first 3 to 4 days of the illness and then start to improve.

Symptoms may include:

• runny nose
• cough
• sneezing
• wheezing
• fever

What causes RSV?

RSV is a highly contagious virus, that causes lung and airway infections. It spreads through tiny droplets released when an infected person talks, coughs, or sneezes. Being in close contact with someone who has RSV increases the likelihood of you getting the virus. You are usually infectious (can pass on the virus) for up to 8 days from when your symptoms begin. RSV is very contagious. The virus can live on surfaces for several hours or your unwashed hands for 30 to 60 minutes.

It can be difficult to stop the spread of RSV. Practising handwashing and good hygiene can help to avoid passing the virus onto others. 

What If I've Been In Contact with Someone who is COVID/Flu or RSV Positive

People who have had close contact with someone who has COVID/Flu or RSV are at high risk of becoming infected and therefore, of spreading COVID/Flu or RSV to other persons they come in contact with.

Notify your manager or supervisor immediately if you become a close contact (via telephone or email) - do not approach them (or any other Austraffic employee) in person. Please notify your supervisor/manager of any COVID/Flu or RSV test results (phone or email) once you receive the result (trivalent rapid antigen RSV/COVID/Influenza tests are available from chemists Australia wide).

If you test positive for COVID, Flu or RSV &/or have Cold and Flu symptoms

To reduce the risk to others in your workplace: 

1. Stay home until your acute symptoms have gone. If you are at higher risk of severe illness, speak with your doctor as soon as you test positive. You may be eligible for antiviral medicines or other treatments for COVID-19 or Influenza. Antiviral medicines work best when used as soon as symptoms start.
2. Don’t visit people at high risk of severe illness, anyone in hospital or an aged or disability care facility for at least 7 days.
3. Wear a mask when indoors and on public transport, if you must leave your home.
4. Avoid large gatherings and indoor crowded places, especially where you will be in contact with groups of people you don’t live with.
5. Talk to your manager or supervisor about when you should return to the workplace.  
   You should talk to your workplace about working from home, where possible. If you work in a high-risk setting such as health, disability and aged care, it is recommended that you stay away from the workplace for at least 7 days and until you have no symptoms to help protect other staff, patients, residents, and clients.  If your employer needs you to return to the workplace before this time, they may ask you to take additional steps to protect others, subject to their work, health and safety assessment.
6. Tell people that you live with, or spend a lot of time with, that you have COVID/Flu or RSV.
   People you live with or spend a lot of time indoors with are at greatest risk of catching COVID, Flu and RSV from you. You should tell them you have tested positive and try to separate from them as much as possible. They should test regularly and monitor for symptoms. If they get sick, they should get tested and stay home. 

How does COVID, Influenza and RSV spread?

The main way COVID, Flu and RSV spread is when an infected person exhales droplets and/or aerosol particles containing the virus. This can happen when they breathe out, cough, sneeze, speak, shout or sing. Exhaled droplets range in size. Large droplets settle out of the air faster than they evaporate. Small droplets remain suspended in the air for longer periods. Very fine droplets may contain the virus, and can stay suspended in the air for anywhere from minutes to hours. Small droplets and particles are often referred to as 'aerosols'.

Identifying risks to health

Employers have a duty to provide and maintain, so far as is reasonably practicable, a working environment that is safe and without risks to the health of employees. This includes identifying risks to health or safety associated with potential exposure to COVID, Flu and RSV.

Identifying the risks associated can include:

• monitoring expert advice as the COVID, Flu and RSV situation develops (for example, from the Department of Health / State Government)
• reviewing infection control policies, procedures and practices, to ensure they are effective and are being followed
• educating and keeping employees up to date on new information
• considering whether undertaking work activities put other people (such as clients or members of the public) at risk of exposure to COVID, Flu and RSV.

Controlling risks to health

https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/safety-topic/hazards/covid-19

Where a risk to health is identified at a workplace, employers must eliminate the risk so far as is reasonably practicable and when elimination is not possible, reduce the risk so far as is reasonably practicable.

Face masks in workplaces

• see Face Coverings in Workplaces

Consult with employees

Employers have a duty to consult with employees, independent contractors and any health and safety representatives (HSRs), so far as is reasonably practicable, on matters related to health or safety that directly affect, or are likely to directly affect them. This includes consultation on identifying hazards or risks and decisions about how to control risks associated with COVID, Flu and RSV.

The consultation should be conducted in accordance with any agreed consultation procedures.

The type of control measures required depends on associated risks and the availability and suitability of controls for each workplace. Control measures may include:

• recommending employees work from home
• implementing physical distancing initiatives in accordance with recommendations made by your state or territory health department
• providing adequate facilities or products (such as hand sanitiser, where available) to allow employees to maintain good hygiene practices
• providing appropriate personal protective equipment, including information or training on why the equipment is required and how to safely use it
• avoiding shared use of phones, desks, offices, or other work tools and equipment
• developing an infection control policy
• avoiding face to face meetings by using other methods of communication such as phone or video conferences
• ensuring employees understand when to stay away from the workplace such as when:
  • they have been in contact with confirmed cases of COVID, Flu or RSV.
  • they have a confirmed case of COVID, Flu or RSV.
  • they are feeling unwell – no matter how mild their symptoms

Everyone in the workplace should practise good hygiene by:

• regularly cleaning their hands with soap and water (minimum 20 seconds) or an alcohol-based hand rub (at least 60 per cent alcohol)
• if hands are visibly dirty wash them with soap and water
• always washing hands with soap and water:
  • before eating
  • after visiting the toilet
  • after attending a public place
  • after coughing, sneezing or nose blowing
• covering their nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing, and disposing of used tissues immediately
• comply with any physical distancing measures issued under public health orders or directions in their state or territory
• cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces regularly, such as phones, keyboards, door handles, light switches and bench tops
• consulting a health care professional if they are unwell, and staying away from the workplace and other public places while they have symptoms

Watch these videos to see how you wash your hands and this video to show you how to use hand sanitiser

• Hand rub https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnSjFr6J9HI
• Hand wash https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PmVJQUCm4E