Never Too Small to be a Victim of a Pandemic
By CHICKMELIONfreelance
It is a subject we are all too familiar with especially of late, but are we all prepared for it? It is no matter if you are a single proprietor or an entrepreneur with a sizeable workforce, together you all are the driving force and backbone of the North American economy, and you (and your employees if you have them) are the most essential asset of your business. Do you not think you are well worth protecting?
The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that there is a substantial risk of an influenza pandemic within the next few years. It is acknowledged to represent a threat to global economies. Because pandemic's happen when a new kind of virus spreads easily from person to person, it is prudent to have considered the potential risks to your enterprise and your selves before hand. As the saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Be informed so that you know what to do!
A pandemic flu will have an impact on all aspects of your business: your employees, your suppliers, even your customers. You need to consider how to sustain yourself for several weeks within a threat. What are the core functions that drive your business, and who performs this duty? If that person was ill, who could back them up? Do you need to think of training someone else just in case? Are you able to cope with up to 20 to 50 % of your workforce not being able to come to work for various reasons? Or the potential drop in customers for that time period? Aside from illness, what other conditions affect your employees absence? As an example an interruption in day care or public transportation might have to be looked at and planned for. Have you considered an increased demand in your business due to an outbreak, how will you then deal with this?
You also need to consider possible interruptions in essential services which you routinely depend on to conduct your business day to day, from the “ever important” contracted cleaning staff , your suppliers, as well as potential interruptions to infrastructure like transportation, sanitation, water, power, and potential disruptions to the food supply. Keep in mind gathering what is needed during an outbreak may be restricted or insanely expensive, it is simple supply and demand economics. Network with your suppliers and your municipal governments. Look for possible loop holes and threats. The more information you can gather on potential threats, the better equipped you can be to combating unexpected headaches at the worst possible moment it time.
Preparedness should be two tiered in your planning process: preventative measures should be looked at and implemented, as well as an action plan for the worst case scenario. Considerations in preventative maintenance should encompass: fostering a healthy work environment by ensuring adequate air circulation and it’s regular maintenance; posting tips on how to stop the spread of viruses at work to ensure good habits are formed well before hand; providing sanitation products for the workplace especially the washrooms; and finally encouraging employees that if they have the flu, or think they might, to just stay home. Staying home when sick and proper and effective hand washing are the most effective ways to help slow the spread of a virus. If your workforce is at home, can your computer systems allow or accommodate people working from home or from other locations? Can your phone services be re-routed? It is essential that everyone is “in” on the preventative plan? Including the cleaning staff? Ensure cleanliness of work surfaces including door knobs, hand railings as well as shared telephones, keyboards, computer mouse, etc.
When it comes to an action plan for coping during a pandemic, the task can be daunting. There are employment specialists who for a fee will help you design and implement “Business Continuity Plans”, and if you are a fair size it might well be worth the investment. But if you are looking to do it for yourself, or are curious of what all might be involved, both the Canadian Center for Occupational Health (CCOHS) and the Center for Disease and Control in the US have websites that you can access pandemic planning checklists for free, as well as vital links to surveillance bodies like the WHO and local and national public health officials to keep informed and on top of possible outbreaks and threats. It is a wonderful place to start! These two governing bodies can also supply you with workplace tools like “Slow the Spread!” posters and “Hand washing” posters for the facilities as constant reminders to build healthy habits before an outbreak and minimize the risk of days lost due to illness.
In addition to a good plan you might consider looking into stocking up on supplies to keep on hand during an outbreak to ensure your workforce is able to safely continue to their tasks like; ventilation masks, or rubber gloves. Now would be a good time to set aside to shop around so you can establish a budget in the very least. Although shopping around is highly recommended the following two suppliers are being provided as a baseline only, both having online catalogues with pricing included, as well customer support to answer your questions and concerns.
In Canada:
Stevens Home Medical Supplies Store
www.stevenshomemedical.com
Email: stevens@stevens.ca
In the United Stated
FLU-ARMOR
Info: info@fluarmour.com
Address: 122 East Kings Highway
Suite 504
Maple Shade, NJ 08052
Phone: (856) 335-3925
Don’t be caught at the worst possible moment without a plan. Lives may well depend on your foresight, including yours. It is never too early or too foolish to dish up an ounce of prevention. And it well may be the most cost effective means of ensuring survival through a very volatile and threatening time.
