Overview
This policy provides guidance on addressing a wide-spread
outbreak of highly communicable diseases such as the Influenza A 2009 H1N1 virus
(“Swine Flu”) in the communities where we operate.
Core Requirements
- The health and safety of Our People is our first
priority.
- The U.S. Federal Government has designated the
Transportation Industry and the Postal and Shipping Industry as two of 18
Critical Industries/Key Resources vital to the public safety and prosperity of
the United States. Every reasonable effort should be made to prevent the
interruption of transportation, postal, and shipping services.
- Our customers rely upon us for transportation of their
products and goods. These products and goods may include critical supplies
needed for the response to a pandemic. Every reasonable effort should be made
to prevent the interruption of our services.
Employee Responsibility
- Know the signs and symptom of Influenza:
- High fever (above 100 degrees F) or chills
and
- Cough or sore throat
May also include:
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Body aches
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea and vomiting (more common with 2009 H1N1)
- If you have a fever you should stay home until 24 hours
after the fever is gone to avoid infecting co-workers. Seek medical care if
needed.
- If you get sick at work, you should go home except to
seek medical care. Be sure to notify your supervisor (using the telephone or
email) that you are going home sick. Avoid personal contact with your
supervisor and co-workers.
- Practice clean hand hygiene by frequently and
thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water or alcohol based hand
sanitizers.
- Cover your cough or sneezes. Clean surfaces
contaminated by coughs and sneezes.
- Periodically clean surfaces that have frequent contact
with hands, such as counter tops, telephones, and computer key boards
particularly if there is more than one user.
- Determine if you and your family should receive the
Seasonal Flu vaccination.
- Determine if you and your family should receive the
2009 H1N1 "Swine Flu" vaccination when it becomes available.
- Be prepared to work additional hours or days if you are
not sick in the event of wide-spread absences due to illness among your
coworkers.
- Make preparations for alternate child-care arrangements
in the event schools are closed or you are needed to work additional hours.
- If your employment requires you to travel
internationally, see the International Travel section of this policy.
Leadership Responsibility
The Company has established a Pandemic Committee to
coordinate the Company’s preparations and response. See the Pandemic Committee
section for additional details.
Supervisors and Managers should take the following
steps:
- Develop contingency plans to operate with reduced staff
due to illness.
- Encourage employees to practice proper hand hygiene and
cough and sneeze etiquette.
- Encourage employees to receive vaccinations.
- Review your department’s sick call-in policy with your
employees.
- Be prepared to send sick employees home or to
appropriate medical care if needed.
- Review this policy with your employees.
Pandemic Committee
- The Pandemic Committee is responsible for coordinating
the overall preparations and response to an outbreak in the community or
workplace while ensuring business continuation.
- The Medical Director of the ABX Healthcare Center is
the designated health official for the Company.
- The Pandemic Committee shall consist of:
- Medical Director of the ABX Healthcare Center
- Chief Executive Officer
- President
- Vice President of Human Resources
- Manager of Safety
- Manager of Employee Benefits
- Given the unpredictable nature of any pandemic, the
Committee may modify or change plans at any time with little or no advance
notice.
International Travel
International travel may present unique challenges for
employees. Some international destinations may not have adequate medical
resources available or present language barriers.
The Company has contracted with
HTH Worldwide to
provide assistance to international travelers.
Services include:
- Worldwide access to English speaking physicians trained
in western evidence-based medicine.
- Information about the current health situation at many
international locations.
- Safety and Security updates for many international
locations.
- Convenient access to updated information at
www.hthbusiness.com.
You can sign up to receive updates sent to your email account or mobile
device.
International travelers may also consider carrying a “Flu
Kit” consisting of the following items:
- Thermometer
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for fever reduction
- Imodium for diarrhea
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Clorox wipes or similar
- N-95 masks
The “Flu Kit” is not mandatory and is at the voluntary
discretion of the employee. You may wish to consult with your physician about
overseas travel.
Since the flu spreads from person-to-person; whenever
possible you should avoid crowds. According to the CDC, maintaining a distance
of six (6) feet or greater from other people, especially those with symptoms,
significantly reduces the likelihood of transmission of the flu.
Communication
The Company has established a FLU web page to update
employees about the flu. This web page can be accessed at
MyABX.com/flu.
In addition the ABX NEWSline will be updated with
information as needed. The ABX NEWSline can be reached by calling (800) 736 3973
ext. 66397 (6NEWS).
General information about the 2009 H1N1 Flu can be found
on the following websites: