What is a pandemic?
A pandemic is a virus outbreak that emerges and spreads rapidly from person to person, which is something that we are currently experiencing with coronavirus. Pandemics can lead to high fatality numbers, but they are more so measured by the speed at which they spread.
Although a lot of the focus for businesses is currently on coronavirus, influenza would also be considered a pandemic and there are potential viruses and pandemics that can come about in the future; hence, this Pandemic Outbreak Policy is an important staple in any workplace across all industries.
Why do businesses need a Pandemic Outbreak Policy?
Workplaces are high risk when it comes to pandemics because these small, confined spaces and buildings house a lot of people for hours each day and often employees even share equipment, such as pens and papers, where germs can easily be passed around. This is why you may notice that when one person at work has a cold, it has gone around most of the workforce within a couple of weeks.
A health and safety policy, specific to pandemic outbreaks, will help employers understand their duty of care in relation to the spread of viruses and it will clearly communicate safety measures to employees. This, in turn, should reduce the risk of infection and help ease any panic as it will show your staff that the business is being proactive and that you are aware of the dangers in the workplace.
What is included in this Pandemic Outbreak Policy?
Our Pandemic Outbreak Policy is key for all UK workplaces and it includes the following:
- Information on screening
- Specific guidance on COVID-19 such as symptoms and how it is spread
- Preventing the spread of infection
- Guidance on facemasks
- What to do when an employee does get infected
- Absence from work
- Self-isolation
- Cleaning work spaces
- Rubbish disposal
Although this particular policy has been tailored to coronavirus, which we believe to be important given the current situation, we can alter it and amend it so that it covers pandemics in a more general sense – that way, it can be referred to amidst any pandemic that you face, now and in the future.
If you would like to purchase our Pandemic Outbreak Policy, or learn more about this product, then call us today on 0121 756 1873 or email us at info@safetyservicesdirect.com.
