SolidBowtie

Infectious disease outbreak in the workforce

An outbreak spreading through shared workplaces: hygiene, stay-home norms and remote capability versus staffing collapse.

HazardPeople working closely together on shared sites
Top eventAn infectious disease spreads through the workforce

3 threats 10 barriers 3 consequences safety-critical barriers marked

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Threats & preventive barriers

Each threat is a credible pathway to the top event; its barriers interrupt that pathway before control is lost.

Seasonal epidemic enters the workplace

  • Vaccination programme & hygiene facilities

    Socio-technical · 65% effective · Owner: Occupational Health Lead

  • Sick-pay policy that discourages presenteeism

    Socio-technical · 70% effective · Owner: HR Director

    Production pressure rewards working while ill

Single imported case spreads on site

  • Stay-home guidance with remote-work capability

    Socio-technical · 75% effective · Owner: HR Director

  • Enhanced cleaning of shared spaces

    Socio-technical · 65% effective · Owner: Facilities Manager

Transmission via shared equipment & canteens

  • Cleaning regime for shared equipment

    Socio-technical · 65% effective · Owner: Facilities Manager

    📅 Hygiene inspection · monthly keep-alive task

Consequences & recovery barriers

Once the top event happens, recovery barriers limit each consequence.

Staff shortage halts critical operations

  • Cross-training & staffing buffers for key roles ★ critical

    Socio-technical · 70% effective · Owner: Operations Director

  • Split-team / isolation protocols for critical crews

    Socio-technical · 60% effective · Owner: Operations Director

Vulnerable individuals seriously ill

  • Occupational health support & risk assessment

    Socio-technical · 70% effective · Owner: Occupational Health Lead

Temporary site closure

  • Outbreak response plan with clear thresholds ★ critical

    Socio-technical · 70% effective · Owner: Business Continuity Manager

    📅 Outbreak plan review · annual keep-alive task

  • Remote-operations fallback for office functions

    Socio-technical · 75% effective · Owner: IT Operations Manager

Copying this template gives you a fully editable bowtie: barrier owners arrive as role suggestions, escalation factors sit on their barriers, and keep-alive activities are scheduled from the moment you copy. New to the notation? Read what the bowtie method is or browse the practical guides.

Use this template free. Copy “Infectious disease outbreak in the workforce” into your own workspace and adapt every barrier — no credit card.

Start free with this template →