HAMILTON, ON (January 22, 2008) - To help companies understand the risks and protect their staff and operations, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has launched two e-courses on pandemic influenza. Pandemic Awareness and Pandemic Planning offer practical, step-by-step information to help workplaces plan and prepare for the impact of such a crisis.

Pandemic Awareness is a free, 20-minute introductory course that describes what a pandemic is, how an influenza virus spreads, and the impact a pandemic may have on workplaces, families and communities. This e-course also outlines the importance of preparing for a pandemic. It describes what could happen, and what people should expect. Most importantly, the course describes how people and companies can proactively try to avert a crisis by staying as influenza-free as possible.

Pandemic Planning expands on information in the Awareness course by providing more details on how workplaces can plan for a pandemic, the employee absences it would cause, and why it’s important to prepare. In addition, it explains how to take action on both an individual and organization level. The course outlines how having a business continuity plan will reduce the impact of a pandemic on both the employees and organization. The course also describes ways to slow the spread of influenza.

Course participants will learn tips on how to prepare for a flu pandemic at work, at home and in the community, and where to find further information.  Everyone in the workplace including managers and supervisors can benefit from these e-courses.

As with all CCOHS e-courses, participants can contact CCOHS subject specialists to ask specific questions that may arise. There are quizzes throughout and a certificate of completion is issued upon passing the exam for the Pandemic Planning course. CCOHS courses are unique in that they are developed by experts in the field, and reviewed by representatives from labour, employers and government to ensure the content and approach are unbiased and credible. Courses are available in English and French.

Pricing and registration information is available on the CCOHS website.

For further information contact:
Eleanor Westwood
Manager of Communications
CCOHS
905.572.2981 X4408
eleanorw@ccohs.ca