Abstract Problem Statement: In global companies with internationally mobile workforces and operations where people work and live together, infectious disease outbreaks can impact the health of workers and communities, disrupt operations and affect a company’s reputation. Emerging diseases such as coronaviruses and avian flu can be challenging in these settings. Adequate control of outbreaks in Company workplaces requires standardized measures that are globally communicated and applied consistently across worksites and countries.
Objectives and Scope: Provide a standard and efficient approach to infectious disease outbreak prevention and control, including communication procedures and action plans with staged response for both known and emerging infectious diseases with outbreak potential.
Method: Building on its global pandemic flu plans and site Infectious Disease Outbreak Management (IDOM) measures, the Company used a two-pronged communication approach to engage stakeholders and communicate with workers on latest emerging diseases: the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus and avian influenza H7N9. This approach was developed within Company systems and interfaces at affiliate and headquarters levels, as well as with external experts to generate action plans aligned with scientific evidence progressively made available.
Significant New Information: This outbreak management model represents an effective global and scalable approach to mitigate the impact of various communicable diseases in workplaces. Standardized outbreak management and communication approaches are potential innovations for oil and gas companies that could better protect the health of their workers and business.
Conclusions: Infectious disease outbreak risk should be consistently integrated into safety, security, environmental and health programs of oil and gas sector companies, regardless of the geographic locations of their operation sites. Methodical application of evidence based outbreak prevention, preparedness and response measures, built on existing company systems, enables effective awareness, engagement and preparedness in Company sites.