Flu Pandemic Preparedness

Development of emergency recovery plans vital for Ohio businesses

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC), the federal government, other state governments, communities and industries are taking steps to prepare for and respond to a potential flu pandemic.

A contingency plan is essential to combat a flu outbreak that could easily spread worldwide when there is little or no immunity in the human population. BWC urges employers to develop preparedness plans as they do for other public health emergencies.

In the event of an influenza pandemic, businesses will play a key role in protecting employees' health and safety. Employers also will play a part in limiting the negative impact to themselves, the economy and society in general. Companies that provide critical infrastructure services, such as power and telecommunications, also have a special responsibility to plan for continued operation in a crisis and should plan accordingly.

The Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have developed guidelines, including a check list, to assist businesses in planning for a global outbreak of influenza and other comparable catastrophes. The link below offers guidelines and a check list for business and industry planning.

Flu.gov

Pandemic preparedness
NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
Ohio Department of Health

H1N1 (Swine) influenza
CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
National Library of Medicine
New England Journal of Medicine

Avian (bird) influenza
NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)