Hope Works In Politics But Not For Businesses Facing A Flu Pandemic.

Hope Works In Politics But Not For Businesses Facing A Flu Pandemic.
H1N1 is serious enough that businesses must prepare for a possible outbreak. But a June survey Ottawa did show that 82% of small businesses do not have an emergency flu plan in place. The time to begin preparing is yesterday.
- By Isaac Rudik

It’s not so much a question of “if” but rather “when” the H1N1 flu pandemic will strike Canada in force. The World Health Organisation says the virulent virus is present in more than 50 nations around the globe – right now, mostly in the southern hemisphere – and as the 2009-10 flu season approaches; it is likely to cut a wide swath through businesses.

While this year’s outbreak is unlikely to be as fatal the Spanish flu after World War I that killed tens of thousands of Canadians, it is something serious enough for all businesses to plan for. But a disturbing reality popped up in a June survey that Ottawa conducted among small businesses: An overwhelming 82% of employers do not have an emergency plan for health emergencies, including an outbreak of H1N1 in the workplace.

“It won’t be that bad,” a client told me a few weeks ago when I asked about his company’s plans to handle a pandemic. “Besides, there’ll be flu shots and I’m hoping this is just another overreaction, like SARS was a few years back.”

But “hope,” which helped elect Barack Obama, is not an option for businesses — they must begin planning and preparing now. Those that don’t have a plan already in place need to recognize just how serious the pandemic is expected to be, and start preparing both their staff and the businesses.

Simple Reality

While the H1N1 virus doesn’t appear to be mutating as it races around the globe, evidence suggests that transmission comes from speaking, sneezing or coughing – stuff that’s hard to avoid in everyday life. Any person who is in close contact – as close as about 1 meter – with someone who has flu-like symptoms such as fever, sneezing, coughing, running nose, chills and muscle aches, is at risk.

The SARS Commission led by Mr. Justice Archie Campbell advises that government and employers learn from the SARS outbreak a few years ago. Campbell says the main SARS lesson is that worker safety relies on the “precautionary principle” requiring reasonable action to reduce risk before there is “scientific certainty,” in his words.

Although the federal government is stockpiling vaccine doses, people are being advised to wash their hands frequently, avoid crowded places and to stay home from work if they don’t feel well, the simple reality is that such measures are not likely to be enough.

Businesses of all sizes need to stockpile some simple health tools to help minimise the risk of illness – and distruption to the company that would follow workers getting sick.

Cover Up

We all remember shots of people in Mexico City wearing masks during last year’s major outbreak. And while there are dozens of face mask styles available, it is critical to ensure that masks provided in the workplace or schools will actually contain the H1N1 virus. Many of them won’t.

The Dentec PPE Line N95 Enviroguard mask is NIOSH approved to stop flu viruses from escaping. It offers specific protection but simply putting on a mask for the day isn’t enough.
• Place the mask carefully to cover the entire mouth and nose, tying it securely to reduce gaps between the face and mask.
• Avoid touching the mask, especially when removing it.
• Replace masks with a new clean, dry mask as soon as it becomes damp.
• Clean hands by using with soap and hot water, or use an alcohol-based hand-rub.
• Do not re-use masks, discarding them after each use and disposing immediately after removing the mask.

Especially now as organizations deal with the emerging threat of H1N1, all public and private sector employers must act quickly to err on the side of precaution. A major flu outbreak will be disruptive enough to people; employers must take steps to help minimise the risk they and their employees face.







Isaac Rudik is a compliance consultant with Compliance Solutions Canada Inc. (www.compliancesolutionscanada.com), Canada’s largest provider of health, safety and environmental compliance solutions to industrial, institutional and government facilities.

E-mail Isaac at irudik@csc-inc.ca or phone him at 905-761-5354.