Pandemic Preparations

In recent years we have been hit with pandemics such as the Bird Flu and more recently the Swine Flu (H1N1). A pandemic is a worldwide spread of a new disease. According to the World Health Organisation over 213 countries, overseas territories or communities have confirmed cases of the H1N1 Swine Flu virus. This has resulted in over (laboratory tested) 16,931 deaths (as at 26th March 2010). To read the full report click here.

Although the Swine Flu is no longer in our newspapers on a daily basis it has been working it's way around the world and New Zealand has experienced a second wave of the H1N1 virus during the winter months.  

During the initial outbreak of the Swine Flu H1N1, many employers weren't prepared and found that preventative products such as hand sanitisers and face masks were sold out, with long waits for them to become available. Take precautions now.

Good Health and Safety measures will help stop the spread of germs amongst staff. Recommend your staff get the influenza vaccine (this now includes protection against the Swine Flu H1N1, as well as 2 other common influenza strains).

Other measures you can take to minimize the spread of infection of influenza as well as common coughs, and colds:

• Make arrangements for staff to work from home
• Encourage staff to stay home if they are unwell
• Arrange staff to work in shifts of have flexible hours so staff come into contact with less people
• Strongly advocate good hand washing procedures. For more details on hand washing on this website click here or go to our sister website www.handsanitiser.co.nz
• Have available appropriate personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves and hand sanitiser (especially for frontline staff)
• Train your staff on the correct use of the above masks, gloves and hand sanitiser
• Train staff to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when they sneeze and cough, and follow this up with washing their hands with soap and water or a hand sanitiser

For more information see the Department of Labour website or the Ministry of Health website.

We have have available different pandemic kits for you to purchase:

Individual pandemic kits - ideal for sales reps on the road
Office pandemic kits - for small office environments

Contact us for bulk purchases or if you would like us to taylor a pandemic kit to suit your specific needs.

Information on pandemic preparations