Ardentshared.us

Ardent Services, LLC
Safety Manual
Page 1 of 5
Revision:
O-SS-SPP-0054
H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu)
Awareness Program
Rel Date:
1.0 Purpose
The intent of this program is to provide Ardent employees with general knowledge and guidelines enabling employees to anticipate, recognize, evaluate, and control the possibility of infection by the H1N1 Virus.
2.0 Scope
This H1N1 Virus Awareness Program and Policy is intended for support of, and use by company operations both in business units and project operations. This is a hazard recognition and education focused program and does not imply that any training associated with this program certifies or qualifies any Ardent employee to analyze worksites for presence of the H1N1 Virus.
3.0 Regulatory References
This H1N1 Virus Awareness Program is primarily intended to satisfy the following regulatory requirements: Best Practices 4.0 Policy
4.1 Train Employees – All employees assigned to job-sites shall be
4.2 Hazard Identification & Control – All employees assigned to job-
sites shall participate in the identification, evaluation and control of H1N1 Virus hazards. 4.3 Exposure Limits – No practical method exists for determining safe
or unsafe exposure limits in the fields. Ardent’s program is one of education and awareness aimed at reducing exposure risk. 4.4 Exposure Monitoring – Medical surveillance shall be limited to
documenting confirmed cases of H1N1 Virus among employees and the subsequent medical management of such cases. 5.0 Responsibilities
5.1 Management – Ardent Management is responsible for the following:
• Ensure that the HSE Management System adequately addresses H1N1 Virus Awareness and that the program is reviewed annually and revised as necessary. • Provide H1N1Virus Awareness training for all employees. • Provide resources to address H1N1 Virus related issues. Ardent Services, LLC
Safety Manual
Page 2 of 5
Revision:
O-SS-SPP-0054
H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu)
Awareness Program
Rel Date:
• Ensure that confirmed employee infections are adequately 5.2 Supervision – Ardent Supervision is responsible for the following:
• Understand the Ardent H1N1 Virus Awareness program. • Provide guidance to employees on recognition and control of • Implement site controls reducing employees’ risk related to H1N1 • Provide on-the-job training for all employees assigned to • Immediately report suspected H1N1 Virus infection cases to Operations Manager or the Manager of HS&E. • Enforce mitigation requirements and provide discipline as
5.3 Employees – Ardent Employees are responsible for the following:
• Participate in and understand H1N1 Virus Awareness training. • Follow safety rules and guidelines regarding H1N1 Virus • Perform appropriate mitigation techniques. • Inform your supervisor if you are experiencing multiple symptoms as described in Section 6.2 of this Program. • Inform your supervisor of concerns regarding H1N1 Virus

6.0 What is H1N1 Virus?
Swine flu is a respiratory illness of pigs caused by infection with swine influenza “A” virus (SIV) that can occasionally affect humans. 6.1 H1N1 Virus the Infection – The swine influenza A (H1N1) virus that
has infected humans in the U.S. and Mexico is a novel influenza “A” virus that has not previously been identified in North America. This virus is resistant to the antiviral medications(Symmetrel) and (Flumadine), but is sensitive t(Tamiflu) and (Relenza). Investigations of these cases suggest that on-going human-to-human swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is occurring. 6.2 Signs & Symptoms
Ardent Services, LLC
Safety Manual
Page 3 of 5
Revision:
O-SS-SPP-0054
H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu)
Awareness Program
Rel Date:
• Severe or persistent vomiting • Pain or pressure in the chest or stomach • Difficulty in breathing
7.0 Hazard Recognition & Control
7.1 Recognition
Exposure-Humans with direct exposure to pigs are those
most commonly infected with swine flu. Human-to-human
spread of swine flu viruses have been documented; however,
it's not known how easily the spread occurs. Just as the
common flu is passed along, swine flu is thought to be spread
by coughing, sneezing, or touching something that has the
live virus on it.
Transmittable-If infected, a person may be able to infect
another person one day before symptoms develop; therefore,
a person is able to pass the flu on before they know they are
sick. Infected individuals may spread the virus for seven or
more days after becoming sick. Those with swine flu should
be considered potentially contagious as long as they are
showing symptoms, and up to seven days or longer from the
onset of their illness. Children might be contagious for longer
periods of time.
7.2 Control
Prevention
The same everyday precautions that you take to prevent other contagious viruses should be used to protect yourself against swine flu. "The best current advice is for individuals to practice good hand hygiene. Periodic hand washing with soap and water, or the use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when hand washing is not possible. Also, avoid touching your Ardent Services, LLC
Safety Manual
Page 4 of 5
Revision:
O-SS-SPP-0054
H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu)
Awareness Program
Rel Date:
eyes, nose or mouth, as germs can more easily gain entrance into your body through those areas. Covering your mouth with a disposable tissue when you cough and sneeze is also a good practice. The CDC recommends avoiding contact with sick people. Keep your own good health in check with adequate sleep, exercise, and a nutritious diet. 8.0 Training
Ardent will provide H1N1 Virus hazard awareness training for all employees. 8.1 Training Content - Training will cover the following topics:
8.2 Personnel Training – Ardent personnel shall receive the following
All employees shall receive H1N1 Virus hazard awareness training. 8.3 Training Frequency - Training and re-training frequency shall be as
H1N1 Virus awareness shall be included as a topic in the Industrial hygiene awareness training and shall be refreshed semi-annually as part of the Toolbox Safety Meeting Program. 9.0 Reporting and Recordkeeping
Training - All training shall be record in the Ardent Employee
Information Base.
Reports – All confirmed H1N1 Virus related events shall be
reported.
9.2.1
Incident/Accident Report - All H1N1 Virus events resulting
in illness of an employee and confirmed by positive medical
tests shall be recorded as Incidents on an Ardent
Incident/Accident Report.
Near Miss Reports – Due to the nature of the hazard near
miss events are impossible to identify.
Ardent Services, LLC
Safety Manual
Page 5 of 5
Revision:
O-SS-SPP-0054
H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu)
Awareness Program
Rel Date:
Control & Retention – Records associated with this program shall
be handled in the following manner. Illnesses shall be handled pre
the Incident Reporting and Record Keeping Program. Records shall
be retained for a minimum of the employee’s duration of
employment plus 5 years.
10.0 Attachments

Source: http://ardentshared.us/safety/safetymanual/Safety%20Manual%20Documents/Safety%20Manual%20Sec%20C8%20H1N1%20Virus%20Awareness%20Pogram.pdf