Tuberculosis recently came back on the nation's radar after a U.S. resident diagnosed with the potentially fatal disease boarded an international flight, possibly exposing other passengers to the infection.

Worldwide panic followed because tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious disease. According to the World Health Organization, "like the common cold, [TB] spreads through the air ... When infectious people cough, sneeze, talk or spit, they propel TB germs, known as bacilli, into the air. A person needs only to inhale a small number of these to be infected."

What does any of this have to with your shop? It's a good idea for employers to be aware of diseases, including TB, and how they affect the workplace, says Lisa Orndorff, a human resources knowledge adviser at the Society for Human Resource Management in Alexandria, Va. Orndorff provides this advice to employers on how to deal with a communicable disease, such as TB, in the workplace:

 • Don't freak out. If you find out an employee has taken a TB test, stay calm. The employee isn't necessarily at risk -- or worried about the disease. Many schools and volunteer organizations require clear test results, regardless of the individual. 

 • Take action. If an employee has tested positive, contact the local health department to assess the potential health risk to customers and staff. Adhere to state requirements in reporting infectious diseases. 

 • Protect the employee's identity. Do not disclose which employee tested positive for the disease; however, you must notify the staff of the disease's presence at the place of business. Business owners should suggest ways for the staff to learn more about the disease, either through local doctors or Web sites such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For more information, refer to the National Institutes for Occupational Safety and Health.

--Cassandra P. Foster
cfoster@safnow.org

 

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