Be Prepared for a Potential Swine Flu Outbreak
The spread of the swine flu virus or what the World Health Organization has termed influenza A(H1N1) has the potential to severely impact the hospitality industry. HospitalityLawyer.com offers the following resources to aid the industry in addressing the potential spread of the virus.
Pandemics and the Hotel Industry by Charles L. Menges & Joseph P. McMenamin, McGuire Woods
With the recent decision by WHO to raise the pandemic threat level from Phase IV to Phase V, it is only rational to be concerned about the problem and to activate your pandemic plan. Basic public health measures, including hand-washing, covering coughs, and staying home from work when sick remain absolutely essential, foundational steps. The value of gloves and masks is frankly debatable, and probably depends on how they are used, but the FDA recently gave approval to the purchase and use of N95 masks by the general public. The industry may well wish to consider stockpiling personal protective equipment such as these items. The general public will probably expect it, workers may demand it, and at least some protection may be provided. No one measure is apt to be a foolproof solution. Rather, taking rational, consistent steps, with constant attention and responsiveness to public health authority pronouncements, would seem to offer the best hope of minimizing the impact that the virus threatens to have.
Click here to continue reading.
Click here to learn more about how a potential pandemic will impact business continuity, contract claims, and insurance disputes. Menges and McMenamin also list suggestions for a preparedness plan.
Practical Pandemic Preparation by Fisher & Phillips
For most employers, protecting their employees during an influenza pandemic will depend on two basic approaches: emphasizing "common sense" hygiene (cleaning hands and decontaminating surfaces) and practicing "social distancing." Social distancing means reducing the frequency, proximity, and duration of contact between people (both employees and customers) to reduce the chances of spreading pandemic influenza virus from person-to-person. Employers may take additional protective measures, including engineering changes, procedure changes, and requiring the use of personal protective equipment, based upon the specific occupational exposure risk of their job tasks and work place. Use of respiratory protection (respirators) and barrier protection (facemasks) may be components of a comprehensive plan to prepare workplaces for an influenza pandemic, but employers must comply with applicable OSHA standards.
Click here to read more, including a Pro-Active Pandemic Strategy and Checklist.
Swine Flu Frequently Asked Questions from Forensic Analytical
As we are all aware, the global community is in the midst of managing an outbreak of a new influenza of swine origin. Forensic Analytical Consulting Services (FACS) has prepared this bulletin to help our clients, business partners and members of our community navigate through the maze of information available in order to stay well-informed and prepared for contingencies.
Click here for answers to questions such as "Should I wear a facemask or respirator?" and "What about disinfecting surfaces?"
Suggestions for the Hotel & Restaurant Operator:
Resources:
American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) - AH&LA is providing online resources to assist the industry as well as serving as a conduit for information and advice from government and experts on this public health crisis
Arthur J. Gallagher - Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services offers information on its website, including Swine Flu FAQs, Travel Recommendations, and Resources.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
For more information, please contact HospitalityLawyer.com.
HospitalityLawyer.com
P.O. Box 22888
Houston, Texas
77227
(713) 963-8800