»
OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
PREPARING YOUR BUSINESS FOR A PANDEMIC
BY GARY SHAPIRO I
just received my annual reminder about the wellness fair, and my flu shot. As we prepare for the colder months and flu season, it’s important
to not only important to check with your health professionals on ways to promote preventative health measures among your employees, it is also vital to develop a contingency plan in the event that your business or your clients are unexpectedly shut down by a regulator due to a widespread pandemic, such as the H1N1 virus outbreak of 2009. Global outbreaks of disease, or pandemics, have oc-
curred throughout history and many scientists believe that it is only a matter of time before another one occurs. Pandemics can vary in severity from a bad flu season to an especially severe outbreak that could lead to high levels of illness, death, social disruption and economic loss. It is impossible to predict when the next pandemic will occur or whether it will be mild or severe. Unlike natural disasters or terrorist events, an influenza pandemic can be widespread, affecting
multiple regions at the same time. A pandemic could also be an extended event, with multiple waves of outbreaks in the same geographic area, with each outbreak lasting from 6 to 8 weeks, if not longer. Waves of outbreaks may occur over a year or more. How might your business be affected if such an outbreak would occur? If such an event occurs, your workplace will likely
experience the following: Absenteeism—A pandemic could affect as many as 40 percent of the workforce during periods of peak in- fluenza illness. Employees could be absent because they are sick, care for sick family members or are fearful. Change in Patterns of Commerce—During a pan- demic, consumer demand for items related to infection control is likely to increase dramatically, while consumer interest in other goods may decline. Consumers may not be interested in having vendors in their homes or offices. Interrupted Supply/Delivery—Shipments of items from geographic areas severely affected by a pandemic may be delayed or cancelled. It is important to determine how you may be
protected in the event of a pandemic or at least imple- ment basic hygiene and social distancing precautions in the workplace. Here is a list of precautionary steps
for your business: ■ Encourage sick employees to stay at home. ■ Wash hands frequently with soap and water for 20
seconds before rinsing, and then dried. Alcohol- based preparations (60–80% alcohol content) are also effective if rubbed on hands until hands are dry.
■ Hand-hygiene must be performed before preparing or eating food; after defecation; after coughing, sneezing or blowing nose; before and after all contact with others.
■ Ensuring an adequate supply of soap and water for washing is crucial.
■ Avoid touching one’s nose, mouth, and eyes. 38 PESTWORLD NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011
www.npmapestworld.org
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52