OSH Answers Fact Sheets

What is avian influenza? Influenza, commonly called "the flu", is a contagious disease caused by viruses that mainly infect the respiratory tract, including the nose, throat, and lungs. Many varieties of influenza viruses exist. Some viruses infect only humans, others only birds, pigs or dogs. Some can infect more than one animal (called "cross-species"). In birds, this disease is called avian influenza or the "bird flu". Avian influenza has been around for over 100 years. It was first reported...

What is a Comprehensive Workplace Health and Safety Program? One way to achieve a psychologically safe workplace is to create and implement a Comprehensive Workplace Health and Safety (CWHS) Program. This program is a coordinated strategy with related activities, initiatives, and policies developed by the employer, in consultation with employees, to continually improve or maintain the quality of working life, health, and the well-being of the workforce. These activities are developed as part...

How can I deal with workplace stress? There are many ways to be proactive when dealing with stress. Do not forget that elements of the workplace itself can be a cause of stress. Mental fitness, self help, taking healthy steps, stress management training, and counselling services can be helpful to individuals, but do not forget to look for the root cause(s) of the stress and to address them. Employers and organizations are encouraged to see these other OSH Answers documents about how to help...

Why have an emergency plan? A definite plan to deal with major emergencies is an important element of occupational health and safety (OHS) programs. Besides the major benefit of providing guidance during an emergency, developing the plan has other advantages. You may discover unrecognized hazardous conditions that would aggravate an emergency situation and you can work to eliminate them. The planning process may bring to light deficiencies, such as the lack of resources (equipment, trained...