ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2007 > December > 17 > Entry
Staying healthy at work
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As I sniffle and sneeze, I wonder; where I picked up this bug? Was it when I took a call on the secretary’s phone - the one who’s out today? Did it come from one of the many hands I shook yesterday or was it on the stair rail as I left the building? How many people were coughing in that three hour meeting in the conference room?
Even though we know so much, I find that even among health care professionals, it’s like the germ-theory has never been proven. It seems as if no one washes their hands any more. Before you accuse me of being phobic, look around you. If you have to remind doctors and nurses to wash their hands, think about your coworkers!
Keeping well on the job can be a struggle in this season of colds and flu. Hearing rumors of a deadly cold virus should make anyone sit up and take notice. How can you stay well and feeling good? It’s as easy as this:
Wash your hands often, especially after shaking hands with several people or touching common surfaces. Soap and water is best but the hand sanitizers will work if you’re in a hurry.
AVOID touching your eyes, nose or mouth especially if you haven’t washed your hands in a while.According to the CDC, germs can live up to 2 hours on surfaces touched by sick folks!
Keep your work environment clean and don’t use phones or computer keyboards of the working bearers of infection.
It’s probably not realistic to wear masks in long meetings in small rooms but encourage those who look sick or are coughing or sneezing to go home. If they can’t go home encourage them to cover their mouths when they cough.
Ask your company to stock sniffle stations. Several strategically located tissue dispensers with hand sanitizers can make a big difference in the spread of office germs. If it’s all about the bottom line, sick and absent employees cut productivity.
Stay home if you have a fever, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. The clinics in many pharmacies are convenient points for quick treatment.
If you have other pointers or horror stories from the office of the walking germ bombs that come in to infect others, feel free to share.
Comments
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By PA
December 20, 2007 9:40 AM | Link to this
AMEN!!!!