Colliers International Prepares Tenants for Swine Flu

The recent Swine Flu outbreak has caused Colliers International to help tenants prepare for pandemics.

Sydney, Australia, May 17, 2009 --(PR.com)-- From the time the Department of Health and Ageing decided to increase the Australian Pandemic Threat Level from 3 to 4 on April 29, Colliers International started an implementation strategy that is designed to help tenants of buildings they manage better deal with possible outbreaks of swine flu and other pandemics.

According to Darren Whitelegg, Managing Director of Real Estate Management at Colliers International, “Now is a perfect time for businesses to review their disaster recovery plans.

“Traditionally, property management services have not allowed for large scale emergency situations such as the current Swine Flu pandemic outbreak that is affecting many countries around the world. It shouldn’t be a time for panic but rather an opportunity to review existing systems and implement procedures that allow business owners and employees to cope with these unique situations as they arise,” said Mr Whitelegg.

An internal email has already been sent to senior managers and staff at Colliers International’s 28 offices across Australia confirming their own process for dealing with the issue.

Robert Wall, Chief Operating Officer at Colliers International, is coordinating the action for the Australian business.

“Whilst there are no reported cases of Swine Flu in Australia at the present time, we need to be vigilant and sensible in how we deal with the threat,” said Mr Wall.

“Colliers International will continue to monitor and assess the situation and will take whatever action is necessary to ensure the safety, health and wellbeing of our people.”

Mr Whitelegg said, “in relation to the swine flu, we are getting our property managers to communicate with building occupants on actions that should be taken to minimize the risk of an outbreak.”

Some of the recommendations include:

• Issuing directives on the upgrading of various cleaning materials and soaps to hospital disinfectant grade
• Maintain stricter cleaning regimes within public areas, particularly to commonly contacted surfaces
• Making sure building owners and management are aware of the potential threat and are actively monitoring relevant information sources
• Keeping tenants informed of any new building policies and latest notices from health authorities
• Making sure contractors and third party suppliers are able to cope with possible outbreaks
• Reminding tenants to review or update their business continuity plans to allow for possible pandemic outbreaks
• Issue relevant signage and communication pieces to building occupants outlining hygiene protocols and pandemic procedures.

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Contact
Colliers International (Australia)
Michelle Hutchison
+61 2 9257 0210
www.colliers.com.au
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