‘Preparing for a pandemic: strategies for business continuity when a crisis hits home’

Jones Lang LaSalle has issued a paper with the above title that provides strategies to help businesses and property owners prepare for a possible pandemic outbreak. The document provides comprehensive information on the H5N1 avian flu virus and outlines steps that should be taken to ensure business continuity, protect employees and defend properties.

Critical steps in protecting properties include the reassessment of building operations and infrastructure from the standpoint of disease control. In particular, HVAC inspections and maintenance schedules should ensure that buildings have proper air filtration and site inspections should identify vulnerabilities for exposure.

The following steps can help to reduce exposure to germs and allay workplace concerns:

* Providing sanitation stations for hand disinfecting at entrance and exit points
* Inspecting and maintaining HVAC systems to maximize filtration with fresh air by cleaning and replacing filters, drip pans and malfunctioning equipment
* Increasing the frequency of restroom cleaning
* Practicing extreme caution in disposal of wet waste
* Reevaluating water elements in landscaping to reduce waterfowl attraction and exposure
* Instituting more cautious landscape sanitation and maintenance procedures.
* Retail centers containing pet shops may require additional precautions or prohibitions

Companies are advised to appoint pandemic crisis managers (either individuals or committees) and establish chains of command to control the flow of information and misinformation in the marketplace. They are also advised to formulate cohesive management succession plans to help keep critical infrastructure operations and services in place in the event that absenteeism reaches significant levels. Good relationships with vendors, knowledge of local markets and arrangements with back-up suppliers of goods and services are also vital to effective plans.

http://www.joneslanglasalle.com

•Date: 12th May 2006• Region: US • Type: Article •Topic: Pandemic planning
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