Preparedness Plan for Pandemic

“Ten-Minute Preparedness Plan”

Learn more about Swine Flu/Influenza.

Personal Action:

• Know symptoms of various types of illnesses, such as flu, cold, etc.
• Contact medical doctor immediately upon onset of symptoms.
• Stay informed about flu outbreaks, get news alerts online, listen, read or watch news reports.
• The first line of defense to prevent transmission from person-to-person is to exercise careful hand hygiene. Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if hands are not visibly soiled.
• Cover your cough. People who are coughing should be encouraged to contain their coughs by use of disposable tissues.
• A surgical mask can reduce the number of droplets coughed into the air. Ask a sick person to wear a mask if one is available provided the person can tolerate it.
• Avoid traveling when ill.
• If possible, avoid going to work or school or other public places while ill.
• Raw food always should be handled hygienically because it can be associated with many infections, including salmonella. Therefore, all utensils and surfaces (including hands) that come in contact with raw poultry should be cleaned carefully and immediately afterwards with water and soap.
• For travelers, assemble a travel health kit containing basic first aid and medical supplies. Be sure to include a thermometer and alcohol-based hand rub for hand hygiene.

Businesses:

• Provide flu shots to employees if recommended by public health authorities.
• Provide disease control information in paycheck stuffers and posters for employees.
• Teach employees how to reduce their risks of illness by proper preparedness and careful hand hygiene. Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if hands are not visibly soiled.
• Develop backup preparedness plans to continue to function the business when large numbers of employees are out sick at the same time.
• Provide adequate supplies of facial tissues and receptacles for disposal.
• Sanitize restroom facilities, eating facilities and work areas where appropriate by keeping the workplace safe and prepared for a high incidence of germs and contamination.
• Provide individualized personal equipment when appropriate, such as ear pieces and headsets for phones, and provide alcohol wipes for equipment used by more than one person, such as handsets for phones, head gear, etc. Don’t forget to sanitize doorknobs, light switches, and other areas or items used or touched by many people.
• Coach employees who travel, especially on airplanes about hygiene, air quality issues and prophylactic needs, such as face masks, alcohol wipes, etc.
• Have plans for temporary workers as needed.
• Build inventory and utilize other strategies to continue operating the business in anticipation of large numbers of workers being absent.
• Prepare for loss of basic services such health care, law enforcement, emergency response, communications, transportation and utilities.
• Have contingency plans for vendors, suppliers, professional staff and customers who cannot respond to your needs or accept your products or services.
• Provide maximum air quality safety procedures in the workplace.
• Revisit sick day policies to avoid people reporting for work that should not because of illness.
  Encourage employees to wear disposable gloves or face masks if appropriate for their job function (e.g. food handling, medical workers, personal care employees, etc.)

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