Biological Hazards include exposure to harm or disease associated with working with animals, people, or infectious plant materials. Workplaces with these kinds of hazards include, but are not limited to, work in schools, day care facilities, colleges and universities, hospitals, laboratories, emergency response, nursing homes, or various outdoor occupations.

You may encounter these types of hazards when:

• one of the kids in your Kids Program cuts his leg on the play equipment and it bleeds.

• your event is a night time one and it's been raining. The mosquitos arrive.  

• the birds have been enjoying a nesting time in the cafe and you unknowingly sit on bird droppings on the chair.

• someone has left an open container of food in the fridge for two weeks and it's now growing mould and you accidentally touch it. 

• one of your co-workers has come to the office coughing, sneezing and a runny nose (and no mask!). 

What’s the difference between a cold and influenza?

The common cold and influenza are both upper respiratory infections caused by a virus. 

The symptoms of a common cold vary from person to person. They can include:

• A blocked or runny nose

• A sore throat

• Sneezing

• Coughing

• Watery eyes

• A headache

• More mucus than normal

The flu is much more hard hitting. Symptoms can include:

• A cough. Dry and tickly or chesty and full of mucus.

• A sore throat. Similar to a cold, a sore throat can be the first sign of a flu.

• A blocked nose. This may be caused by the membrane lining in your nose swelling up.

• Headaches. They nearly always come with the flu. They are usually caused by an increase in temperature, dehydration and even a blocked nose.

• A fever. Your body fights the flu infection and your temperature rises above 37.2ºC.

• General body aches and pains. This is a sure sign you don’t just have a cold but the flu. Rest up, drink plenty of water 

Both infections are highly contagious and can be caught from close contact with someone who has the virus, for example breathing in droplets of air when someone coughs or sneezes.

It's difficult to avoid catching colds and the flu so when you come into contact with someone with an infection avoid sharing things they may have used, such as kitchen utensils, clean shared surfaces such as door handles, and wash hands regularly.

Personal hygiene prevention measures include:

• when coughing and sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with tissues, and dispose of used tissues in a bin (or cough into your elbow - you don’t use your elbow to open doors or shake hands)

• wash your hands after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose, after coming in contact with someone who has the flu, and before eating and drinking

• clean items such as phones or keyboards between users with a detergent wipe

• consider carrying or use regularly hand sanitisers and antiseptic sprays like Glen 20 in your office (particularly if you share an office)

• keep your distance from others (at least one metre) if you are coughing or sneezing

• stay at home while you are sick, and see your doctor if you are concerned about your symptoms

• clean common area surfaces regularly with detergent and warm water and dry thoroughly.

Consider getting a yearly flu shot. It won’t necessarily stop you from getting sick but it will stop the strains of flu that are around this season.