Mitigating the Emerging Measles Risk in Oil and Gas Workplaces

摘要

Measles is a highly contagious disease with a 90% infectivity rate in susceptible individuals and a substantialrisk for outbreaks.Immunization has dramatically reduced measles incidence,but during the first quarter of2019,the World Health Organization reported a 300% global case increase compared to 2018.To effectivelyprotect global companies with highly mobile workforces and congregate settings,it is pertinent to establisha 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 outbreakrisks.Its integration into a company's safety and health systems and procedures is essential for a successfulimplementation that targets the most at-risk individuals and operations.Beyond the prevention that appliespersonal,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 controlmeasles in most at-risk work sites.The results section describes the program components adopted for suchmeasures and their results.Our program approach has resulted in mitigating measles outbreaks in congregate settings with noreported operational disruption in our workplaces.The approach includes these elements: 1.Global disease surveillance through various scientific sources for community outbreaks andoccupational health and safety networks for workers.2.Awareness and education tailored to targeted audiences,with scaled intensity based on risk levelsand case notifications with their locations.3.Prevention with vaccination for travelers,expatriates and rotators through internal or external travelhealth services; recommended vaccines for the general population of workers and dependentsthrough their benefit plans; and guidance to not come to work when sick with a fever,combinedwith 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 bodyof 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 associatedrisks,it is essential to develop fit-for-risk measures to mitigate their impact on the health and safety of oiland gas workers and the operational continuity of the companies where they work.The integration of thesemeasures into health and safety processes across organizations and levels-with effective senior executiveengagement-facilitates the readiness and adoption of evidence-based practices with positive outcomes.