Unlike many other viral respiratory infections, such as the common cold, the flu can cause severe illness and life-threatening complications in many people. In the United States, on average 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from seasonal flu-related complications. Flu seasons are unpredictable and can be severe. Over a period of 30 years, between 1976 and 2006, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the United States range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people [cdc.gov].

This course covers the basics of flu prevention techniques. OSHA does not have any regulations or standards that pertain to flu prevention; however they do publish guidance documents with suggested practices, which this course follows. This course is designed to give employees, managers and other interested parties basic information about influenza viruses. The course covers the basics of flu infection, its spreading mechanisms and infection prevention strategies. The course also addresses current concerns about the H1N1 (swine) flu with up-to-date information from the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization.

Relevant Standards: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.106

• Linear Duration/min: 00:6:57
• Origin Date: 05/09
• Last Update: 05/09
• Complexity/Difficulty: Level I (very easy)
• Interactivity: Level II
• Supervising SME: Trey Greene
• Prerequisites: None

Competencies:

To successfully complete this course, the Learner will demonstrate the ability to:

• FLU 1.2.0 Identify types of influenza viruses and the means by which they infect human beings 03:16
• FLU 1.3.0 Identify groups of people who are especially susceptible to severe health effects from influenza infection 00:48
• FLU 1.4.0 Identify strategies for preventing the spread of influenza in the workplace and elsewhere 02:00