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By This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , HSO Editor
An informal survey by HSO editors of companies engaged in homeland security show that most are ready to implement H1N1 contingency plans in addition to those who have plans already in operation for battling the current seasonal flu outbreak.
A critical theme running through companies' preparations is their emphasis on an employee-based, commonsense approach to limiting the spread of H1N1 through personal hygiene behaviors such as frequent hand washing, limiting exposure to others and vaccinations.
Ed Halibozek who heads Security for Northrop Grumman notes: Northrop Grumman has in place robust contingency plans, which include pandemic preparedness. Currently, the company is focused on ramping up its regular seasonal flu vaccine program to reach as many employees as possible.
Boeing, for instance, is pulling out plans built during the emergence of the Avian Flu several years ago and has refined and honed these plans for the current flu situation. Says Communications Manager Kelly Donaghy: "Boeing is fortunate that we did much of our pandemic planning years ago (during the emergence of the Bird Flu) and have benefited from making those plans part of our all-hazards preparedness effort. We refined those plans during the first H1N1 emergence earlier in the year.
Like other companies, their focus is not only on the business side but employee education: One lesson learned is that employees get mixed messages about H1N1 and looked to the company to help sort out the facts." Adds Northrop's Halibozek about the importance of employee education: Regarding H1N1, Northrop Grumman is focusing its efforts on employee awareness of how to stay healthy during the flu season.
SAIC's Deputy Director of Media Relations Melissa Koskovich notes that the company also is working on getting the word out to employees including staying home if you or a family member is ill to keeping away from others, so-called 'polite social distancing', in addition to, quite simply, be careful what you touch. She says: SAIC's appropriate response approach to the H1N1 threat focuses on practical personal prevention efforts advising employees on the best practices for staying healthy and what to do if an employee or family member gets sick along with absenteeism mitigation advice for managers. The health maintenance guidance promotes heightened personal hygiene, vaccination, polite social distancing and general awareness of public touch points. The key message for those who do fall ill is staying home until they are no longer contagious and immediately notifying their manager.
At Juniper Networks, commonsense is also the watchword, notes Brad Minnis, Director of Environmental, Health, Safety and Security: In addition to closely monitoring events and maintaining close contact with governmental agencies, many of the actions are commonsense measures designed to make the transmission of illness less likely among people in our work environment. They include simple and effective practices such as more stringent cleaning and sanitization in common areas of buildings in affected regions, providing awareness information to employees, and asking employees and contractors who may be ill or becoming ill to refrain from coming to the workplace. There are additional steps such as telecommuting that enable employees to communicate and work without physically being together, and the ability to transfer work loads between Juniper Technical Assistance Centers globally.
For a small business guide to H1N1 go here, and for detailed information about H1N1 from the Centers for Disease Control click here.
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