Joint venture launched to help stop swine flu spread

A NEW partnership venture between two companies has been launched to help businesses manage the threat of swine flu.

Leeds-based facilities support firm Beacons Business Interiors (Bbi) has teamed up with Approved Product Treatments (APT) to advise businesses on how to manage the threat they face from the spread of swine flu and offer advice on precautions they can take to prevent an outbreak at their business.

The joint venture will also provide specialist products that will help to keep the threat of swine flu under control.

The launch comes following a warning from the Government’s chief medical officer that this autumn could see an epidemic in the UK, with tens of thousands of potential new cases confirmed each week as bad weather kicks in.

Peter Burchill from Bbi said: “If government figures are correct, thousands of people may be infected this year.

“While swine flu has not proven to be dangerous in many cases so far, with so many people off work this could be a real headache for companies.”

Health authorities have been briefed by the Department of Health to prepare for 15-20% of the workforce to be infected at any one time and think tank Oxford Economics has predicted that the UK economy stands to lose £42bn if a pandemic does occur.

Mr Burchill continued: “Employers not only have a responsibility to keep their staff healthy, it makes commercial sense to prepare properly. If a pandemic hits at the same time as the economy starts to show signs of recovery, firms who haven’t made adequate preparations could find themselves at a severe disadvantage as their workforce is off sick.”

The firms will also be offering a deep-clean service to ensure that offices are free from viruses.

Andrew Jones from APT said: “Don’t encourage an environment where people don’t feel they can take time off – if they are ill it is important the spread of infection is limited otherwise the impact on businesses will be far greater.”

Products available will include hand sanitizers, antibacterial cleaning fluid, sanitizing wipes and air cleansers.