Controlling Respiratory Infectious Diseases in the Workplace

Apply the Hierarchy of Controls

Use multiple workplace control measures in a layered approach, starting from the most effective, to reduce the risk of respiratory infectious disease exposure.

Include public health measures such as:

• Vaccination
• Proper hand hygiene
• Cleaning and disinfecting
• Respiratory etiquette
• Wearing a mask

Most effective -> Least effective

• Elimination
• Substitution
• Engineering Controls
• Administrative Controls
• PPE

Elimination and Substitution

Remove the hazard or replace it with something less hazardous:

• If possible, allow or require workers to work remotely.
• Encourage workers to stay home when sick.

Engineering Controls

Change the workplace:

• Provide good indoor air ventilation and filtration.
• Use touchless controls for payments, water taps, doors, and bin lids.
• Install and maintain hand hygiene equipment: sinks and sanitizer dispensers.

Administrative Controls

Change how people work:

• Communicate risks, rules and procedures.
• Encourage proper hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.
• Create a cleaning and disinfecting program for high-touch surfaces and shared objects.
• Update emergency response and business continuity plans.
• Implement a policy that supports worker vaccination.
• Train workers on respiratory infectious disease transmission hazards and how to protect themselves.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Protect the worker:

• PPE is regulated and must be appropriate to the workplace hazards and activities.
• Workers must be trained how to properly use and maintain their PPE.
• Respirators (respirators used as PPE must be fit tested)
• Face Shields
• Gowns
• Eye Protection

Vaccination

• Vaccination is an important public health measure that can help reduce the risks of some respiratory infectious diseases in the workplace.
• Vaccination can reduce the risk of severe illness and promote community immunity.

MASKS

Source Control

Masks and respirators used as ‘source control’ are:

• Intended to control the hazard at the source (infected individual) to help protect others.
• Meant to limit the spread of the wearer’s exhaled respiratory particles.
• Not required to be fit tested but should be as well-constructed and well-fitting as possible.

PPE

Masks and respirators used as PPE are:

• Intended to control the hazard at the worker level.
• Meant to act as a barrier or limit the inhalation of infectious respiratory particles.
• Required to be manufactured to applicable standards and must meet all regulatory requirements, including worker fit testing and training.

Follow guidance on respiratory infectious diseases from your local public health authority, government, and health and safety regulator.

For more information: canada.ca/respiratory-viruses