The COVID-19 pandemic is leaving its mark at the intersection of hygiene, preparedness and emergency planning. KWZ supports customers in taking a pragmatic and thorough look at these aspects; in the process, operating costs and risks can also be sustainably reduced.
KWZ's experience is based on many years of consulting, the involvement of experts, the cooperation of customer planning staffs, relevant literature and standards. KWZ's operating concepts reflect best practice and comply with IS0 9001 (quality), 14001 (environment), 50001 (energy), ISO 45001 (occupational safety) and ISO 26000 (social responsibility).

What is particularly important in times of pandemic with regard to hygiene?
As a human being: There are the general hygiene rules that have been somewhat forgotten in the last generation, e.g. hand washing. It's amazing how many people had to change their habits in this regard within a few months. Or staying home when you're sick. Scheduling video conferences is arguably beneficial even without the coronavirus: it saves CO2, and travel time can be invested in preparation and follow-up. Contrary to the zeitgeist, everyone should understand that it's up to each individual. Contagions can be avoided by strict spatial separation: "social distancing" also applies at smokers' meeting places and in front of coffee machines. And then you should resist the barbecue party, where everyone feels safe with a 2-metre distance, only to pick up the same barbecue fork, toilet door handle and bottle opener . . .

As a company: Draw up and implement a hygiene concept with consistently followed procedures; train, sensitise and monitor those carrying out the work. Create structural conditions that are adapted to hygiene. Only targeted disinfection of clean and dry surfaces. Actively inform employees. Regular information and appreciation are important: by e-mail, video conference or even YouTube interview. Supervisors should not entrench themselves in the home office, but show up at the "front". Whether it is done correctly and understood must be ensured on site and, if necessary, also enforced.

What should we learn from the COVID 19 pandemic?
Similar to the hygiene concept (see SVG recommendation "Hygiene of recreational and sports facilities"), a pandemic concept should be drawn up which defines the scenario and the measures to be taken in response. Then come material preparedness, "grandmotherly emergency supplies" and staff training. It is also important to favor reliable and thus with advantage domestic producers, who in turn should be committed to "raw material reserves" in the system. Clearly defining customer relationships, now for such a higher-level case, can shorten response times and reduce uncertainty. However, as each crisis is unique, the essentials are: maintaining reliable personal relationships and taking an active leadership role.

 (From an interview with Severin Gallo, CEO of gammaRenax, and Sandro Stolz, Head of Consulting and Sales KWZ AG, in the SVG Journal: https://gammarenax.ch/SVG-Journal_Artikel_Hygiene_Pandemie_01_2020.pdf)