Most service sector professionals probably don't think of hepatitis B as workplace threat, but with 250,000 people infected in Canada, maybe it's time to think again.
There is a lot that both employers and their teams can do to ensure hepatitis B never becomes a problem at work. With the continued development of modern vaccines and a solid workplace education program, hepatitis B is almost entirely preventable.
Hepatitis B is an inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus, one of the most common causes of viral hepatitis (the others are hepatitis A virus and hepatitis C virus).
Many people who become infected with hepatitis B never feel sick and recover completely. Others get a brief, acute illness characterized by fatigue, loss of appetite and yellowing of the skin and eyes (a condition called "jaundice"). The virus can stay dormant in the body for up to 20 years and many people with hepatitis B do not necessarily experience or display symptoms. This means you could contract it from someone who seems healthy.
Less than 10% of adults who get acute hepatitis B develop chronic hepatitis, which can lead to cirrhosis and/or cancer of the liver later in life.
A person who has acute hepatitis B, or who is a carrier, can spread the hepatitis B virus to other people through blood and other body fluids, or by sexual contact. Hepatitis B is not spread by water, food, or by casual contacts that occur at schools, or workplaces. However, because the hepatitis B virus can live in dried blood or other body fluids, the disease can be transmitted through indirect contact.
Many people who work in the service sector are often exposed to the bodily fluids of others. This creates a risk of contact with contagious and infectious diseases, including hepatitis B. Examples of workers at risk include hotel employees who are responsible for cleaning rooms, and auto service mechanics who are prone to breaks in the skin due to cuts and abrasions.
A well-run company can often be distinguished by the care and concern shown to employees. OSSA and the Canadian Liver Foundation are ready to help you set up an effective education and prevention program in your workplace. It could be one of the best investments you'll ever make!
- housekeepers/janitors
- food service workers
- beauty/hair salons
- linen service workers
- auto service workers
- funeral parlor employees
Wear rubber gloves when cleaning
Clean dried-on surfaces with bleach (1 part bleach to 9 parts water), let stand 10 minutes, then wipe clean
Do not share razors, nail files, toothbrushes, or other personal hygienic items with an infected person
For more information on starting a hepatitis B prevention program in your workplace:
E-mail OSSA or give us a call at 1-888-478-OSSA
Give the Canadian Liver Foundation a toll-free call 1-877-353-3356
You should not hesitate to contact other people/companies in the same business to obtain references or recommendations when buying products or services.
