Public Power - September/October 2007 - (Page 50)

SAFETY Preparing for Pandemic Flu by William Atkinson A “pandemic” isthat occursa defined as global outbreak when a new virus can be transmitted between humans. The three largest influenza pandemics in the 20th century were the 1918 “Spanish Flu,” which killed between 40 million and 50 million people worldwide; a pandemic in 1957 that killed two million people worldwide; and one in 1968 that killed one million people worldwide (including about 34,000 in the United States). While the world could experience any one of a number of new pandemic influenzas, the one of most concern is H5N1, avian influenza. To date, it has infected mostly domesticated birds, such as chickens, but also some wild birds, and has spread to humans via contact with the birds. It has already infected more than 200 people in 10 countries, primarily in Asia and Africa, and more than 150 of these people have died. While it has not happened yet, there are concerns that H5N1 could adapt to humans in a way that makes it spread easily from person to person. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicts as much as 25 to 30 percent of the U.S. population could be affected. CDC has created a Pandemic Severity Index (Category 1 - 5), similar to hurricane ratings: Category 1 (fewer than 90,000 deaths, comparable to seasonal flu); Category 2 (90,000 - 449,999 deaths): Category 3 (450,000 899,999 deaths); Category 4 (900,000 to 1.8 million deaths); and Category 5 (more than 1.8 50 SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2007 million deaths). A true pandemic could kill more than 200,000 U.S. citizens and make 35 percent of the population ill, according to Dalena Berrett, a vice president with Marsh, a risk consulting firm in Nashville, Tenn. According to the North American Electric Reliability Corp., if human-to-human contact begins, H5N1 will spread around the world within eight weeks. About 25 percent of the population will become ill, and workplace absenteeism will be about 35 percent. The pandemic could last six months and could disrupt electric utility operations for six to eight weeks, said NERC. A report from the White House notes: “While a pandemic will not damage power lines, banks, or computer networks, it will ultimately threaten all critical infrastructure by removing essential personnel from the workplace for weeks or months.” In April 2006, President Bush outlined the U.S. strategy to safeguard against the danger of pandemic flu, called the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza. It has three critical goals. The first is to detect human or animal outbreaks that occur anywhere in the world. The second is to protect the U.S. population by stockpiling vaccines and antiviral drugs, and improving the capacity to produce new vaccines. The third is to be prepared to respond at the federal, state, and local levels in the event that the flu reaches the United States, which is likely, should a pandemic occur. To deal effectively with a potential flu epidemic, utilities should educate employees about the risk. “Prior to a pandemic, you need to focus on internal communication, which is primarily with your own employees,” said Tim Tinker, M.P.H., senior vice president of Widmeyer Communications in Washington, D.C.. Widmeyer teamed up with the Center for Risk Communications in New York City shortly after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 to form the Consortium for Risk and Crisis Communication. The organization specializes in high-concern, high-stress situations, helping clients assess and plan for potential threats. It works with government agencies, utilities, private companies, and notfor-profit organizations. The two most critical as- pects of employee communication relate to organization and personal protective (hygiene) practices. “Absenteeism, for example, is an important topic, with the potential for 40 to 60 percent of the workplace being absent over a period of three to four months,” he said. This leads to business continuity issues—how to keep the utility operating. Tinker encourages utilities to review and reformulate (as necessary) policies, procedures and programs related to cross-training, sick leave, and absenteeism (taking union contracts into account). This information should also be communicated to employees. A second important step is to educate employees about personal hygiene practices for preventing colds and seasonal flu. Examples include washing hands frequently and keeping safe distances from other people at work, and even at home. The education should begin Steps for Preparing for Pandemic Flu Here is a list of general solutions to prepare and deal with the potential for avian influenza: Appoint a person to coordinate the plans and strategies. • Make it part of your overall emergency response plan. • Develop a risk communication strategy. • Educate the work force. • Prepare the workplace. • Cross-train employees who perform critical jobs so they can cover for each other in the event of absences. • Implement personnel policies related to sick leave and the importance of not coming to work if infected. • Prioritize services. • Coordinate your plans with the local community, health care facilities, and emergency services agencies. Also consider the legal implications: If a worker contracts the flu and can show it was contracted at work (e.g., no other family members have it), he or she may be eligible for workers’ compensation, disability coverage, and related medical expenses. s PUBLIC POWER

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Contents Washington Focus 10 Questions Public Power (Every) Week Training Tomorrow’s Work Force What’s in Your Wallet? U.S. Lags in Broadband Deployment Now What? For Engineers Safety Community Broadband For Governing Boards Human Resources Hometown Connections Customer Service DEED Index to Advertisers Advertisers by Category Parting Shot

Public Power - September/October 2007

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