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SAFETY / OSHA / WORKERS' COMPENSATION — 7/28/06

Companies planning for an avian flu pandemic, but how well?

A significant majority of global corporations currently have either a detailed avian flu pandemic readiness plan in place or are in the process of developing a plan, according to a Conference Board report, “Are Businesses Doing Enough to Prepare for a Pandemic?”, reported by Newswire. However, Amy Kao, co-author of the report, says the effectiveness of business plans and the quality of relationships necessary for their successful implementation in times of extreme public, private and social stress remains open to question.

Small and privately held companies represent the majority of those without an avian flu plan and are therefore the organizations most vulnerable to the risks of a pandemic, according to the report. Large and publicly held companies appear to be the most advanced in their preparations for a possible avian flu pandemic. The variability of business responsiveness to planning alone with large companies more willing and able to do so than smaller companies underscores vulnerability in the current state of pandemic readiness planning, says co-author David J. Vidal, The Conference Board’s Research Director, Global Corporate Citizenship. Given that successful pandemic containment would require extraordinary levels of business, social, governmental and individual awareness, knowledge and cooperation, these gaps provide reason for pause, Vidal notes.

According to the report, the most significant disadvantage in not conducting formal pandemic preparedness planning may be the virtually total absence of coordination with the public sector. An overwhelming 94 percent of participating companies report that they have not had discussions with any level of government officials about their organization’s ability to provide essential services or access to facilities, equipment or staff during a pandemic.

In the event of a pandemic, companies are most concerned about the health and welfare of employees (98 percent), operational continuity (96 percent), and their telecommuting capabilities to enable employees to work from home (93 percent). For the time being, most companies are shunning direct healthcare intervention--three-fourths of the survey participants report that their organization has no plans to stockpile antiretroviral drugs, such as Tamiflu.

For additional information on this and related topics, consult CCH Employment Safety & Health Guide .

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