Workplace Health Measures
- Employers must regularly inform workers about Influenza A (H1N1), including transmission, disease outcome, and treatment.
- Work areas must be cleaned regularly with household disinfectants.
- Ensure availability of water, soap, and disinfectants in all washrooms and toilets.
- Promote everyday health actions such as covering mouth and nose when coughing/sneezing, hand washing/sanitizing, proper spitting, avoiding close contact with sick individuals, adequate rest, hydration, and nutritious food.
- Monitor health of workers, especially those with fever or recent travel to affected countries.
Handling Imminent Danger Situations
- Immediate protective measures are required in high-risk workplaces (e.g., healthcare, frontline services) according to occupational safety rules.
- Implement a screening program based on the Department of Health guidelines.
- Screening includes questions about recent travel to affected areas, contact with cases, and symptoms such as fever over 38°C, cough, difficulty breathing, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea.
- Workers must use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as N95 respirators, gowns, gloves, properly worn and disposed of.
Procedures for Workers Suspected or Ill
A. Suspected Influenza A (H1N1) Case:
- Provide a face mask to prevent spread.
- Isolate the worker in a separate, well-ventilated room.
- Refer for medical evaluation.
- Report suspected cases to the Department of Health hotline.
- Follow DOH recommendations for management and transport.
- Decontaminate work areas with appropriate disinfectants.
B. Ill or Feverish but Not Suspected Case:
- Advise staying home, avoiding crowds.
- Rest and drink plenty of fluids.
- Maintain personal hygiene.
- Seek medical care if symptoms worsen.
Leave of Absence and Entitlements
- Workers asked to stay home or under quarantine may use annual sick/vacation leave or, if exhausted, may be granted leave without pay.
- Employers encouraged to grant additional paid leave flexibly.
- Alternative agreements between employers and workers/unions are allowed.
- Workers caring for family members with H1N1 or avoiding exposure voluntarily are encouraged to be granted leave flexibly.
Medical and Compensation Benefits
- Public and private health workers infected may access a medical insurance package of P150,000.
- Other PhilHealth members and dependents may receive hospital benefits up to P75,000.
- Workers contracting H1N1 at work are entitled to sickness benefits under Social Security System and compensation benefits under PD 626.
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Assistance
- OSHC, BWC, and Regional Offices, in coordination with the DOH, provide:
- Information dissemination on H1N1 and workplace issues.
- Technical assistance including risk assessments and protective equipment usage.
- Training of workplace H1N1 focal persons.
- For Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), POEA, OWWA, and ILAS ensure information dissemination during orientations and through overseas contacts.
- The Bureau of Working Conditions monitors compliance and progress reports on H1N1 prevention.
Effectivity
- These guidelines took effect immediately from May 14, 2009.