Recently, it’s been impossible to turn on the news without hearing about the Coronavirus Infection Outbreak – Fatalities, Quarantines, Complete Disruption of our Way of Lives, & Most Importantly “FEAR”.
With approximately 31 thousand confirmed cases and over 1000 dead, its caused an alarming situation throughout the world.

Headlines like these only make our fears worse.

• Deaths in China Rise, With No Sign of Slowdown
• Chinese doctor who first warned about virus outbreak dies
• Three confirmed cases of Coronavirus reported from Kerala, India

Read our Blog on Coronavirus - Is your Workplace Ready for the Coronavirus Pandemic? (Link)

What is a Pandemic?

A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. Planning for pandemic viral outbreak by business and industry is essential to minimize a pandemic's impact. In the event of a pandemic, employers will play a key role in protecting employees’ health and safety as well as in limiting the impact on the economy and society. Employers will likely experience employee absenteeism, changes in patterns of trade/ business and interrupted supply and delivery schedules. Proper planning will allow employers in the public and private sectors to better protect their employees and lessen the impact of a pandemic on society and the economy.

How the virus spreads?

Viruses are transmitted via the following main routes:

• Through the air.
• Through close contact
• Via the hands
• Through contact with contaminated objects

How a Severe Pandemic Could Affect Workplaces?

Workers are often in close contact, sharing the same space, supplies, and equipment for long periods of time. When sick workers are at work, they can spread virus to others and increase the number of people who become sick. Hence it is important to make sure your workplace has a contingency plan that includes policies and procedures that are flexible.

Hygiene in the event of a pandemic

There are 3 ways in which a workplace can plan hygiene security during pandemic viral outbreak.

PERSONAL LEVEL

Every employee of the company/institution should practise personal good habits that can help keep people from getting and/or spreading the virus. This include-

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (Check out our range of Hand Hygiene Solutions).
• Use at least a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue

COMMUNITY LEVEL

These are strategies that organisation/ corporate leaders can plan. This includes-

• Make sick- leave policies more feasible.
• Allow workers to telework, if feasible.
• Decrease the frequency of contact among people at work.
• Increase space between people at work to atleast 3 feet.
• Postpone or Cancel events that facilitates large gatherings of people.

ENVIRONMENTAL LEVEL

This strategy should be undertaken to reduce the risk of spread infections. It includes-

• Regular cleaning of frequently touched surfaces and objects with proper disinfectants and cleaners.
• Keep Personal Protective Equipments like Surgical Masks, Gloves, Googles, etc handy which can be used in case of emergency.

It is important for an employer to be prepared to take actions that are appropriate for the level of severity of the local pandemic outbreak. You should consider what extra measures you can take to protect workers in a pandemic, and put appropriate plans in place.

Hygienetech Offers the following solutions to help prepare your organisation against the threat of acquired infections :

• Supply of very High Quality of Protective Gear – Face Masks, Gloves, & HAZMAT Suits.
• Supply of Sensor Based Thermometers.
• Supply of the Most Exhaustive Range of HAndWash Liquid Soaps, Dispensers & Hand Sanitizers.
• Supply of Hand Drying Products & Machines.
• SteriShield L.L (Long Lasting) Treatment – Most vulnerable surfaces in the workplace to be provided SteriShield Coating – A nano layer which continuously draws in microbes & gives a 100% kill by Lysis – Works for 90 Days.

For more information on how to increase the hygiene security of your workplace for a outbreak or pandemic Contact us for more details.