The fear is mounting, social media is on fire and it looks like Novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is heading our way. Any infectious disease encountered in the workplace is considered a workplace hazard, so it does come under the health and safety remit and it’s time to think about pandemic emergency response and your workplace.
Scientific modelling predicts that in a severe pandemic 2019-nCoV will spread in a similar pattern to influenza. Up to 40% of the population may become ill over an eight-week period, and pandemics often have multiple waves of illness so the impact may be felt for several months or more.
What’s going to happen if it is a severe pandemic?
In a severe pandemic you can expect the following:
- high numbers of workers away due to illness or caring for dependants
- significant pressure on the health system
- disruption to supplies of goods and services (due to disruption in supply chain, or the impact of the pandemic on suppliers of these goods and services)
- national and international travel restrictions
- restrictions on public gatherings
- restrictions on, or disruption to public transport
- closure of schools
- social distancing measures put in place (for example increasing distance between workstations, encouraging people to keep a distance of at least a metre from others, working from home).
How can you prevent the spread of the disease?
There are a number of actions you can take to minimise the risk of spreading infectious diseases in the workplace. Encourage workers to follow the basic personal actions to stop the spread of infectious diseases. These include:
- Washing and drying hands regularly and well
- Workers staying at home if they are sick
- Using masks and covering coughs and sneezes (although this seems to be less effective for 2019-nCoV)
- Provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to workers who, by the nature of their work, may be required to have contact with people who are sick (for example, health care workers).
- Keep workplaces clean and well ventilated
- Encouraging people to get immunised if a vaccination becomes available
Pandemic Emergency Response Planning
Every workplace is different, so there is no magic formula. Talk with your team and work out the following:
- How you will maintain your essential services or activities with high numbers of workers absence over an extended period?
- What essential goods and services you rely on and how you will manage any disruptions to supply?
- How you can implement alternative work practices in your workplace (for example, social distancing measures, remote working capability)?
- What services will need additional support to meet a surge in demand (for example, IT support services)?
- How you can protect your workers and reduce the risk of spread of the pandemic influenza virus in your workplace?
For additional information see:
Ministry of Health: Workplace Pandemic Guidelines
Workplace Infectious Disease Prevention
Ministry of Health Novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
As always, if you have any questions or anything else to add in regards to your pandemic emergency response email sarah@employmenow.co.nz or call 0272 007 680.
Have a safe and productive week.
Best,
SB