GOVERNMENT HELPING WORKPLACES PREPARE FOR H1N1

Beginning today, the government is distributing a new guide to workplace pandemic influenza preparedness.

Advanced Education, Employment and Labour's Occupational Health and Safety Branch is distributing the guide, called Pandemic Planning: Best Practice Guideline for Occupational Health and Safety, by direct mail to workplaces with occupational health committees around the province and to various stakeholder organizations, including those that represent smaller workplaces that don't have committees.

Hard copies of the guide can be requested from Occupational Health and Safety. The guide is also available online.

"Employers and workers have an important role in preparing for and preventing the spread of pandemic influenza in their workplaces," Advanced Education, Employment and Labour Minister Rob Norris said. "This guide identifies the practical steps employers and workers can take together to prepare for and prevent pandemic influenza in their workplaces."

The guide was adapted from a similar guide produced in Alberta with input from their ministries responsible for Occupational Health and Safety and for public health.

Saskatchewan partners consulted in the development of this guide include the Ministry of Health, Regional Health Authorities, and the Occupational Health and Safety Council.

To order copies, or for more information on H1NI influenza and Occupational Health and Safety in Saskatchewan, call toll-free at 1-800-567-7233 or visit www.labour.gov.sk.ca/h1n1-influenza-ohs.

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For more information, contact:

Lisa Danyluk
Advanced Education, Employment and Labour
Regina
Phone: 787-7791
Email: lisa.danyluk@gov.sk.ca