Each year, the influenza virus costs businesses 17 million workdays, resulting in $7 billion in sick days and lost productivity. It’s no secret the flu is contagious, but urging workers to get a flu vaccine and wash their hands properly will help reduce the spreading of the annual epidemic through your workplace.
The best defense is to get a flu shot now, before cooler weather hits.
It takes about two weeks for the flu vaccine to spur your immune system to build enough antibodies to avoid getting sick. But, if your workers miss the best window, the CDC recommends getting a flu shot anyway. Even if it’s past January.
Another way to prevent the spread of common infections is to encourage workers to wash their hands multiple times a day.
According to the CDC, handwashing saves lives and is one of the most effective ways of preventing infection and illness. Before eating, after using the restroom, blowing your nose, coughing, and sneezing are just a few occasions when you should wash your hands.
Our video, Your Hands are Dirtier Than You Think, demonstrates the proper method for washing your hands. While at work, try thinking about how many other people have touched your office door. Think also about how many touch the coffee pot handle, or the money you use to buy lunch. After watching the video, you’ll understand why the proper handwashing technique is so important.
It takes time and scrubbing to get your hands cleaner than they were when you turned on the tap. Here are four basic steps to clean hands:
- Wet your hands with clean running water.
- Lather your hands like you mean it, including the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds.
- Rinse your hands completely and dry them use a towel or hand dryer.
If no running water is available, use a hand sanitizer that is at least 60 percent alcohol. Rub the sanitizer all over your hands and under your nails until your hands are dry. Hand sanitizer is not a replacement for proper handwashing, but if you use one with 60 percent alcohol, it is better than nothing.
With these precautions, your workers and your bottom line will be healthier during the upcoming flu season.