Abstract
Measles is a highly contagious disease with a 90% infectivity rate in susceptible individuals and a substantial risk for outbreaks. Immunization has dramatically reduced measles incidence, but during the first quarter of 2019, the World Health Organization reported a 300% global case increase compared to 2018. To effectively protect global companies with highly mobile workforces and congregate settings, it is pertinent to establish a comprehensive fit-for-purpose measles workplace prevention, preparedness and response plan.
Immunization is the most effective preventive measure against measles and the control of related outbreak risks. Its integration into a company's safety and health systems and procedures is essential for a successful implementation that targets the most at-risk individuals and operations. Beyond the prevention that applies personal, environmental and policy aspects to travelers and/or workers operating in congregate settings, early-case identification and disease management (including vaccination) are essential to effectively control measles in most at-risk work sites. The results section describes the program components adopted for such measures and their results.
Our program approach has resulted in mitigating measles outbreaks in congregate settings with no reported operational disruption in our workplaces.
The approach includes these elements:
Global disease surveillance through various scientific sources for community outbreaks and occupational health and safety networks for workers.
Awareness and education tailored to targeted audiences, with scaled intensity based on risk levels and case notifications with their locations.
Prevention with vaccination for travelers, expatriates and rotators through internal or external travel health services; recommended vaccines for the general population of workers and dependents through their benefit plans; and guidance to not come to work when sick with a fever, combined with other general safe health practices.
Preparedness and response with infectious disease outbreak management indicating what to do before, during and after any type of outbreak, with pre-positioning of defined supplies.
Please explain how this paper will present novel (new) or additive information to the existing body of literature that can be of benefit to a participating engineer (25 – 75 words):
Considering the reemergence of measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases with their associated risks, it is essential to develop fit-for-risk measures to mitigate their impact on the health and safety of oil and gas workers and the operational continuity of the companies where they work. The integration of these measures into health and safety processes across organizations and levels – with effective senior executive engagement – facilitates the readiness and adoption of evidence-based practices with positive outcomes.
