RMs: Communication Is Key Anthrax Response
Risk managers trying to protect employees from the threat of anthrax and other biological warfare find it requires day-to-day diligence to keep up with events and update safety programs accordingly.
"Its stressful right now and Im sure were not unique," said Billie Fuschi, director of Workers Compensation for Methodist Healthcare in Memphis, Tenn.
"You dont want to be complacent. You dont want to discount anything thats happening. But you dont want to be so overly concerned that you cant function," she said.
Ms. Fuschi said the Memphis water supply is being tested more often and the possibility of having to deal with a smallpox epidemic is also being examined.
She added that its important to "make people in your organization aware of whats going on" by letting them know what disease symptoms are and what to do if they feel ill.
"As far as prevention, I dont know if theres a lot you can do," she said. "I dont think its a risk you can avoid. Its a risk that you need to prepare for in terms of a disaster plan."
As a risk manager, Ms. Fuschi said she finds the situation frustrating. "Basically were going to be very reactionary," she said.
"I think for a long time its going to be knee-jerk, which is not the way risk management should be. Ideally you want a plan in place," she said.
"Sadly," she added, the Sept. 11 disaster and biological attacks are "the ultimate risk management nightmare. Right now no one really knows what to do."
A related concern, she explained, is the safety of expatriate employees. "Weve always had an issue with protecting overseas employees anyway. So domestically how do you handle it?" she asked.
Ms. Fuschi said her company has the advantage of being a hospital system with an internal infection control department "there to advise us. Were constantly thinking about disease and how to protect our people."
Chuck Clemente, senior risk management specialist with Poms & Associates in Calabasas, Calif., subcontracts for five school districts in Los Angeles. His duties include audits, surveys and training for Cal-OSHA.
After going through several hoaxes, Mr. Clemente advised that anyone discovering a suspicious substance or letter treat the situation as if it were a "dangerous or toxic chemical threat."
He recommended calling 911, but requesting that the health department is sent to the scene rather than police. The reason is that the health department responds with a hazardous materials team that isolates the area and deals with any employees who might have been exposed, he said. The police department, on the other hand, "took the envelope and didnt tell us what to do," he said.
Mr. Clemente recommended that risk managers educate employees on how to identify suspicious mail and what to do if any is delivered.
Risk managers should communicate to employees what anthrax isan airborne sporeand discuss its life cycle. They also need to alert employees about early warning signs of the illness, both inhaled and skin varieties, and its treatment, he said. He explained that though symptoms are described as flu-like, unlike a cold, anthrax affects the lungs rather than the sinuses.
"It comes on very quick," he explained. "In the early stages you would feel very tired, short of breath, and you would be coughing."
He advised that buildings be made secure. Businesses, like schools, should have only one entrance where someone is stationed at all times to monitor the comings and goings of visitors.
"We cant be cavalier about this," he said.
He also advised that everyone on staff take "universal precautions" when dealing with anothers bodily fluids–such as a cut or bloody nose. Latex gloves should be made readily available, as well as Nyplex gloves for anyone allergic to latex.
"Risk managers need to keep their eyes and ears open and educate their employees," he said. "Its important that employees dont feel isolated."
Deb Carson, risk manager for the city of Longmont, Colo., and president of the Public Risk Management Association, said her first goal is to make sure the citys 850 employees feel safe. To do so the city is holding meetings with employees "to ensure [they] understand that we care about them, first of all," she said.
"Well talk about whats new, what we continue to do, and what we plan to do for the future," she said.
While information about nuclear, biological and chemical terrorism is presented at the meetings, "its not just information giving," she said. The meetings serve to "build communication and to expand the emergency preparedness plan."
"We want to know what employees fear and what they need," she said.
Employees also will share steps that have been taken "to harden security in their areas," she said.
"Dust off your Year 2000 manuals,"
she advised. "That was just really good training for everybody," she said.
Reproduced from National Underwriter Property & Casualty/Risk & Benefits Management Edition, November 5, 2001. Copyright 2001 by The National Underwriter Company in the serial publication. All rights reserved.Copyright in this article as an independent work may be held by the author.
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