Preparing for a flu pandemic: Ten point plan
June 1st 2009 The Institution of
Occupational Safety and
Health (IOSH), has called on
employers to step up
preparations for a possible
pandemic flu outbreak with
recommendations including:
1. Have a plan – you will
probably only get two weeks
notice of the start of a
pandemic giving you time to
communicate your policy,
not to start thinking about it.
2. Identify tasks essential
to your core business and key
staff and how to cover these
safely during a pandemic.
Identify employees with
existing medical conditions
more likely to be affected.
3. Review personnel policies
and reduce bureaucracy –
employees who are ill need to
be encouraged to stay at home
and to seek medical advice.
4. Encourage flexible
working practices eg.
employees working from
home/flexible hours so they
can look after ill dependents
5. Consider suppliers and
sub contractors – ensure they
have continuity measures in
place and are aware of yours
6. Review cleaning contracts
Consider disinfecting handles
and telephones and providing
anti-bacterial hand gel.
7. Encourage employees to
take personal responsibility to
protect themselves eg. hand
washing, wearing gloves on
public transport, disposing of
tissues so that cleaners don't
come into contact with them.
8. Consider rearranging
conferences or meetings
9. If going ahead with an
event, use a risk assessment to
identify how to minimise
spread of infection eg.
ensuring rooms are well
ventilated
10. Keep in touch with
government advice. More articles from IOSH: | 
