Global Solutions

How the Germ is Spread

The principal way SARS appears to be spread is through droplet transmission; namely, when someone sick with SARS coughs or sneezes droplets into the air and someone else breathes them in. It is possible that SARS can be transmitted more broadly through the air or from objects that have become contaminated. Before you rush out to purchase masks/respirators a little clarification is in order with regard to the rating systems involved. N95 is a rating not a particular type of mask. N95 is a rating promulgated by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in the United States. This government body creates standards that have been widely adopted by legislators all over North America.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of SARS include both a high fever (over 38° Celsius or 100.4F) and respiratory problems, including dry cough, shortness of breath or breathing difficulties. A chest X-ray would indicate pneumonia. People with SARS may also experience other symptoms, including headache, muscular stiffness, loss of appetite, malaise, confusion, rash and diarrhea. The disease is spread from one person to another only through close contact - through droplets from coughing or sneezing, or from direct face-to-face contact. There is no evidence to date that the disease spreads through casual contact, or through the air.

Who is at Risk

You are at risk if you exhibit the symptoms outlined above, or

You have had close contact (having cared for, lived with or had direct contact with respiratory secretions and body fluids) with a person who has been diagnosed with SARS, and/or
You have recently traveled to areas reporting cases of SARS - China, Hong
Kong, Vietnam, Indonesia, The Philippines, Singapore and Thailand

The incubation period - the length of time between exposure and symptoms emerging - is estimated to range from two to seven days. For this reason, self- quarantine for a period of ten days is required if:

You are a suspected SARS case and are exhibiting symptoms as outlined above
You have had close contact with a confirmed case of SARS but are exhibiting
no symptoms
You entered Scarborough Grace Hospital after March 16
Prevention

The best defense against SARS is to practice good personal hygiene. Washing hands with liquid soap or using a hand sanitizer product and disposable towels is recommended. Ref: World Health Organization Website

Singapore

1) SARS: Singapore Ministry of Labor Procedures/Guidelines – full guidance on managing SARS in the workplace

2) 23 April 2003

MINISTRY OF MANPOWER PRESS RELEASE
Occupational Safety & Health Division
Ministry of Manpower

CONTRACTOR BARRED FROM EMPLOYING FOREIGN WORKERS

Caravelle Construction & Development Pte Ltd had been barred by the Ministry of Manpower from employing non-traditional source (NTS) foreign workers for a period of 12 months with effect from 17 April 2003. This 23 April 2003 action was a result of the numerous safety violations the contractor had chalked up since April 2000 when the debarment scheme was introduced.

Under the debarment scheme, contractors would be given demerit points if they are found to have violated safety requirements at worksites. If the contractor does not take steps to improve the safety conditions at worksites despite repeated warnings, they would be barred from employing NTS workers. NTS workers include those from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Thailand.

Caravelle Construction & Development Pte Ltd accumulated a total of 53
demerit points under the scheme from 27 February 2002 till 21 August 2002. The Ministry then issued the contractor with a written warning notice on 27 August 2002. The Ministry also informed the senior management of the Caravelle Construction & Development Pte Ltd of the seriousness of the matter and warned that they would eventually be barred if they continued to flout safety violations.

Despite the warning, the contractor failed to take adequate safety measures and continued to flout safety regulations. Within seven months of the warning, Caravelle Construction & Development Pte Ltd accumulated another 33 demerit points. Under this scheme, this would trigger a debarment. They were barred on 17 April 2003. Caravelle Construction & Development Pte Ltd will not be able to bring in new NTS workers, initiate transfer of workers or even renew the work permits of existing NTS workers.

The Ministry's Occupational Safety Department will continue to regularly inspect and monitor the safety performance of the worksites of Caravelle Construction & Development Pte Ltd. The debarment will be lifted if the contractor does not accumulate more than 24 demerit points within the next 12 months after debarment. The Ministry would like to warn other contractors to improve safety at their worksites and comply with safety regulations at all times. Otherwise, they run the risk of getting themselves barred from access to foreign workers.

EUROPE

Stress in the Workplace

The European Union has identified workplace stress as an Occupational Risk. In the U.K., the courts have confirmed stress is a workplace risk and by current regulations must be assessed.

For more information, click on the links below.

European Union’s E.U. Agency on Safety and Health at Work:
http://agency.osha.eu.int/news/press_releases/en/29_11_2002/index.htm
http://agency.osha.eu.int/news/press_releases/en/16_10_2002/index.htm

Research document:
http://agency.osha.eu.int/publications/reports/203/en/stress.pdf

E.U. Fact Sheet on Managing Stress in the Workplace:
http://agency.osha.eu.int/publications/factsheets/20/en/index.htm

Related Articles:
http://agency.osha.eu.int/publications/magazine/5/en/index_6.htm

United Kingdom

United Kingdom’s Health and Safety Executive Stress in the workplace:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/index.htm

AMERICAS

United States

Emergency Evacuation Planning

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released a new tool, the new Evacuation Planning Matrix. This new tool, located on OSHA's website, provides employers with ideas, assistance, and on-line resources to assist them in reducing their vulnerability to workplace emergencies. The tool provides guidance to help employers plan for emergency evacuation of the workplace in the event of an emergency situation.

Ergonomics

National Advisory Committee on Ergonomics (NACE) will meet in Washington on May 6-7, 2003. According to the OSHA’s April 21, 2003 TRADE PRESS RELEASE, “NACE is chartered to advise the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health on issues related to OSHA's four-pronged approach to reducing ergonomic- related injuries in the workplace-guidelines, research, outreach and assistance, and enforcement.” website link

OSHA Standards Improvement Project Proposal

OSHA has scheduled a Public Hearing on their Standards Improvement Project Proposal. According to a 23 April Trade Press Release, “OSHA is scheduling the informal hearing in response to requests from a number of interested parties who made comments to the revisions, first proposed last October.” Click here for more information.

ACS ANSI Z10 Occupational Health and Safety (Management) Systems

For an up-to-date status on the development this standard go to:
http://www.aiha.org/ANSICommittees/html/z10committee.htm