Tip Sheet: Don’t Let a Cough or Sneeze Spread Disease

Details

• Corporate Authors:
  Washington (State). Department of Labor and Industries
• Description:
  Most times, a cough or sneeze is not a big deal. They are just harmless ways that your body protects its ability to breathe freely. When dust, dirt, germs, and other particles accidentally enter you airway, your body responds. You may feel an itch in your eyes, nose, or lungs, and then, suddenly, you take a quick, deep breath, shut your eyes, tighten your rib muscles, and let out a huge, loud blast of air. But there are times when this natural reaction that usually brings relief can become a health hazard. A cough or sneeze during flu season or a pandemic like the COVID-19 outbreak can spread germs that cause severe illness and death. Several days or much longer may pass before a sick employee shows any symptoms of illness. During this time, they may unknowingly spread germs if they cough or sneeze into their hands, near workers, and on objects that other people touch. An average sneeze or cough can spray thousands of germs from your lungs at speeds up to 100 mph and over distances of several feet. Slowing down the spread of germs and disease requires covering your cough and sneeze. TIPS TO LIVE BY: Management: Train employees about cough and sneeze etiquette. Post signs asking employees and visitors to follow cough and sneeze etiquette. Provide employees tissue paper, soap, and hand sanitizer. Provide no-touch receptacles for used tissue disposal. Make sure your workplace is always kept in sanitary conditions. Drivers: Carry a multi-day supply of tissue paper, soap, and hand sanitizer in your truck. Always cover your coughs and sneezes. Never touch your face, mouth, or eyes before washing your hands. Maintain 6-foot distancing from other people.Do not shake hands with other people. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Alcoholic Beverages Automobiles Disinfectants Occupational Health Personal Protective Equipment Preventive Medicine Safety Staff Development Viral Diseases
• Keywords:
  Alcohol Disease Prevention Diseases Equipment Maintenance Equipment Operation Equipment Operators Equipment Reliability Hazards Injuries Injury Prevention Motor Vehicles Personal Protection Personal Protective Equipment PPE Preventive Measures Preventive Medicine Protective Measures Safety Equipment Safety Measures Sanitation Training Truck Drivers Trucking Viral Diseases Viral Infections

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• Publisher:
  Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Fact Sheet
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 10 ; Washington
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20059315
• Citation:
  Olympia, WA: Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, 90-140-2020, 2020 Apr; :1
• Contact Point Address:
  SHARP Program, TIRES Project, Department of Labor & Industries, PO Box 4330, Olympia, WA 98504
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2020
• Performing Organization:
  Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Tip sheet: don't let a cough or sneeze spread disease
• End Date:
  20260630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:d41adb3e2966af04c910a368417f6055908922cf83211d29faa2cf998886873a1437cefaf7a4350fd639bc143f6b0742530852ee5d982628d26cc5b80d7a8422
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/223583/cdc_223583_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 539.67 KB ]