Finnish companies preparing instructions for staff over bird flu outbreak

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Finnish companies have not as yet set about placing limits on staff travel to countries affected by the avian flu virus. So far they have merely followed the instructions and advisories given out by national and international authorities.
      The world's 3rd largest bank, British-based HSBC Holding, carried out a major in-house risk analysis after last weekend's deaths in Turkey. In brief, HSBC estimated that as many as half of the company's personnel could become sick or be off work in the event of a bird flu pandemic, if the virus were to morph so as to allow human-to-human infection. The bank operates in 77 countries and employs more than 250,000 persons.
      HSBC's estimates go well beyond those of international bodies such as the WHO, which has urged companies to prepare for a situation in which perhaps a quarter of the workforce might be affected. National authorities have tended to give even more conservative figures.
     
Among Finnish companies with a major international footprint, engineering group Metso has produced an information package on the situation for the company's intranet. This is updated and commented on continuously.
      Metso, like most other Finnish companies, is closely monitoring the statements of other officials, but is also using the services of a London consultancy firm Control Risks. The consultants' worldwide client-base provides a safeguard that Metso will not be doing any more or any less than other companies to minimise the risk and at the same time the inconvenience to the company's operations.
      Nokia has also set up an avian flu section on its internal Net pages, and this is constantly updated. Staff in affected areas are given detailed information on hygiene measures and risk situations.
      Nokia has not introduced restrictions on business travel, as no international health bodies have recommended such a step as yet.
     
Similar plans are in effect at component manufacturer Elcoteq, which was one of the first firms to place restrictions on staff travel during the earlier SARS outbreak.
      Forest industry giant UPM has made local contingency plans, even including the evacuation of staff, for those areas where avian flu has been reported. Medication and breathing masks have also been made ready, but UPM has likewise not introduced restrictions on travel.
      TeliaSonera is also at present adhering to Foreign Ministry guidelines. Turkish operations are under the responsibility of the group's headquarters in Sweden, and hitherto there have been no bans on travel to the region.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Threat of bird flu to send free-range chickens indoors (11.1.2006)

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