Protecting phone operators against bird flu

Working in a relatively “safe” environment, I’ve never really thought hard about who of the other working class are highly vulnerable to bird flu or any other communicable diseases for that matter, by virtue of the kind of work they do. Obviously, there are certain jobs that make one more susceptible to exposure – as mentioned in the case of bird flu, poultry workers in farms, and plants that prepare chicken for packaging or export; bird hunters as reported before; but also in general health care workers such as doctors, nurses, hospital staff, and other first responders to emergency situations.

Who else are prone to catching communicable diseases? Jobs that have large groups of employees working in close proximity to each other, as an example, in this news – phone workers.

The Convergys Corp., the world’s largest call center outsourcing company, is preparing for bird flu and protecting its employees by emphasizing healthy work habits in this phone company. Disinfecting towelettes are considered the first line of defense against the threat of a global pandemic from bird flu or other highly contagious disease. The wipes are used to wipe mouthpiece before and after shifts. Convergys Corp. also recently began practicing operations scenarios based on fictitious human-to-human bird-flu transmission. Backup communications systems, call rerouting and working at home are among the options being readied.

I applaud efforts of Convergys and other corporations who care about their employees (and I’d say of course their businesses) to take measures preparing for the likelihood of a bird flu epidemic.

[Source: Hemscott]

Tags: epidemic, exposure, first responders, flu outbreak, health, health care workers, jobs, mobile phones, phone operators, poultry industry, public awareness and prevention