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OSHA Standards for the Construction Industry as of August 2009

OSHA Standards for the Construction Industry as of August 2009
This book contains the occupational safety and health standards for the construction industry promulgated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), effective July 1, 2009.

CCH® HR MANAGEMENT - 10/09/09

Most workers say they are lacking direction from their employers for the H1N1 flu season

Most workers have not had any direction from their employers about the upcoming flu season, according to a national survey released by Mansfield Communications Inc. In the survey, 69 percent of respondents say they have received no communication about policies in the workplace pertaining to H1N1 — not even information related to hand washing or sick leave.

The poll found that a large majority (84 percent) of American workers believe the recession creates more pressure to show up for work — even if they are feeling sick.

“Many workers are understandably concerned about how absenteeism due to sickness will impact their job security in the current economic environment. However, sick employees coming into the office during the H1N1 flu season will undermine the health and productivity of the entire workplace,” said Rob Ireland, partner at Mansfield Communications Inc. “Employers need to clearly communicate with employees about such things as extended sick leave policy and procedures to minimize the spread of infection. During a pandemic, employers must become trusted sources of information and help employees make the right choices.”

The majority of the workers surveyed (80 percent) felt they were knowledgeable about precautions that should be taken if the virus reached their workplace. Yet approximately half (47 percent) of the respondents said that they would still engage in public activities (such as riding the bus, picking up a prescription or grocery shopping) even when they were infected with H1N1 and required to stay home from their office due to a company-imposed quarantine.

“The gap between professed knowledge and practice is alarming,” said Ireland. “Nearly half of respondents said that they would continue to engage in public activities with full knowledge of their infection. Clearly, there is much to be done to educate America’s workforce and help people act appropriately in order to contain the spread of H1N1.”

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