Preparing for a Pandemic

When the World Health Organisation (WHO) raised its alert level on the swine flu outbreak to Phase 6 in June 2009, officially declaring the outbreak a global pandemic, it was the first such declaration in 41 years.*

It is possible for the effects of  a pandemic in a harsh economic climate to have a severe impact on businesses already struggling to survive.  Businesses can help themselves by  having a robust Business Continuity Plan to help minimise any disruption caused by a pandemic such as influenza, swine flu or bird flu.

Some issues that your business should consider include:

  • Establishing a pandemic co-ordinator and/or team with clear roles and responsibilities for preparation and response planning.  They should review developments in the media and on the WHO website on a daily basis and update instructions to staff as events unfold.
  • Indentifying the critical business activities, key employees and other inputs such as raw materials, suppliers and transportation required to maintain the minimum level of service needed to stay in business.
  • The importance of good communication.  Ensure that all employees are familiar with your business's response plan and their role in it.
  • Checking that your suppliers/sub contractors have up-to-date Business Continuity Plans
  • Reviewing the need for continued face-to-face contact with customers and suppliers and checking whether any restrictions apply to your Business Travel insurance.
  • Having in place policies and resources for reducing the risk and spread to be ill or become ill in the workplace.

It is unlikely that your business continuity insurance will cover you for the costs of decontamination arising from an outbreak of any disease - such as influenza.  Also, if it does not have an operative contagious and infectious human disease extension, there is no cover.  Be aware that even if this extension is in force, many insurers specify the diseases covered under it or the insurer may limit cover to those diseases that are notifiable to (Local Authority Proper Officers) under the Health Protection (Notification) Regulations 2010, of which influenza is not one.  Even when insurers specify which diseases they are prepared to provide cover for, influenza is rarely if at all included.

It is also worth testing your Business Continuity Plan immediately to identify and rectify any problem areas in the knowledge that businesses with a robust Business Continuity

Plan stand a better chance of working through a pandemic and of recovering quickly afterwards.

For information on flu and how to prevent its spread visit http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/flu/Pages/Introduction.aspx

*Source: The Red Cross

Last reviewed 7/11/2011

To talk to an expert in your area and get a quote, contact your local insurance broker.