Business

UK Influenza Pandemic Contingency Plan - Chap 1 Line 1

"Most experts believe that it is not a question of whether there will be another severe influenza pandemic, but when." (Quote from The Government's Chief Medical Officer)

What should I buy, how many and why?

What should I buy?

We recommend the Triosyn T-series respirators which, use cutting edge technology to stop more than 99.99% of all viral and bacterial particles. From research these are the only respirators on the market to offer this level of protection.

The UK Government currently recommends that you buy FFP3 masks / respirators or better. The Triosyn T-5000V respirator performs better than this. The Triosyn respirator media, when independently tested against Avian Influenza completely inactivated the virus.

Why should I buy masks / respirators?

There is no vaccine for Avian / Bird Flu. It is very unlikely that a new vaccine will become available until the pandemic is well advanced (see FAQ). Antiviral drugs cannot be assured (see FAQ). Wearing Triosyn T-series respirators is most easily available and effective prevention.

Will one mask be sufficient?

Many sites allow you to buy one or two masks to feel safe. This is misleading as most masks / respirators are disposable and should be replaced after one use. A Pandemic outbreak in the UK is expected to last between 3-5 months (see FAQ).

Business Case for buying Triosyn T-5000V respirators

Why should your business buy respirators / masks?

If you answer NO to one of these questions you should be taking action, please read on.

What is the cost to your business in sick pay alone?

The WHO estimates that on average 25% (with worst case 50%) of the population will be infected with Avian /Bird Flu. The illness duration is likely to be between 5-8 days on average. We suggest you take the time to calculate the cost of sickness absence to your business in the left hand toolbar. You may also want to take into account that you may have an additional level of absenteeism due to staff needing to care for their sick family or wishing to remain in the protection of their home.

What about lost productivity?

Everyone knows the impact of Christmas and summer holidays on business productivity. If 25-50% of your staff are absent for extended periods, the effect of this on productivity must be considered. This can be calculated in the left hand toolbar.

What about loss of staff?

This is the true cost of an Avian /Bird Flu Pandemic. It is estimated that at least 1 in 1000 people will die during this pandemic. This is not a cost that we have included within our calculator, but your organisation needs to account for the possibility of this happening to a member of your staff, with the associated costs.

What about industrial relations?

This is an area that all organisations must address. Organisations have a duty of care to their staff. Following the SARS outbreak in Canada, the Ontario Nurses Association is launching a lawsuit against the Ontario Government because they "instituted health and safety precautions that were inadequate". Given the warning, and the time to prepare that UK business has been afforded, this will be a real threat to businesses that do not make adequate preparations. There have been discussions within the Trade Unions regarding workplace precautions for a looming Pandemic. There is likely to be strong Union lobbying and potential industrial action if businesses are not seen to take adequate, visible and meaningful action.

So what can your business do?

Purchase Triosyn respirators, which use cutting edge technology to stop more than 99.99% of all viral and bacterial particles. Do not wait for a vaccine (See FAQ). The company that can offer their staff respirators encourage them to come to work. This is a visible and practical solution.

What possible procurement strategies are there?

  1. Buy sufficient for all of your staff, while stocks are easily available.
  2. Fund your staff to buy the masks, i.e. a contributory procurement scheme. This allows your organisation to share the cost burden with your staff.
  3. Combine either of the above strategies with allowing your staff to purchase for their families through your organisations procurement. The advantage of this is that it would allow you and your staff to achieve better pricing, as your procurement size will be much larger.
  4. Co-ordinate the personal orders for your staff so that they get the best price and you get a workforce that is protected.

Whatever procurement strategy you choose, we would advise prompt action in order to ensure that both you and your staff will be protected in the event of the Pandemic becoming established in the UK.

NB: all numerical and factual data regarding an influenza pandemic supplied on this page is taken from the UK Influenza Pandemic Contingency Plan

 

Pandemic cost Calculator

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