Blog

Is possible Preventing and mitigating COVID-19 at work ? 

• 27 June 2021
• COVID-19

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has occurred in a wide range of workplaces outside of healthcare facilities. Policies aimed at protecting workers serve to help prevent community transmission of the virus and protect national economies by maintaining open and safe workplaces.

To date there has been a lack of consistency in national and sub-national policy recommendations to guide workplaces on how to prevent transmission and protect workers from COVID-19. This policy brief summarizes recent evidence and provides comprehensive action points for governments and workplaces in implementing the relevant WHO and ILO recommendations on COVID-19 and occupational safety and health. Although this brief provides an overview of published research on transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the workplace and measures for prevention, it is worth noting that most publications are of small cross-sectional or ecological studies that are prone to selection bias, misclassification or confounding. More research on occupational exposure and illness is needed to establish an evidence-base strong enough to inform clear policy options.

Nonetheless in some sectors there are clear trends indicating increased risk of transmission. This is notable for service and sales workers, cleaning and domestic workers, education workers, meat-processing workers, hospitality workers, drivers and transportation workers, public safety workers, construction workers and the people in social service occupations. Workplaces with physical person-to-person contact, inadequate ventilation, common eating areas, shared work accommodations and travel are more likely to report COVID-19 outbreaks. The evidence supports the existing WHO and ILO recommendations for preventative measures for COVID-19, such as remote work directives, restricting worksite entrance to key workers, physical distancing, routine screening, isolation of infected persons, contact tracing and quarantining of contacts, regular worksite disinfection (especially of high touch surfaces), hand hygiene, environmental monitoring and appropriate use of personal protective equipment.

The action points in the policy brief are derived from the existing WHO and ILO recommendations and are aimed at providing national and local governments, employers, workers and their representatives and occupational health services with practical guidance on preventing COVID-19 outbreaks at work by minimizing exposure to and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among workers. Governments, in line with applicable international labour standards, notably International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions No. 155 (1) and No.187 (2), should define national policies and measures to protect the health and safety of workers by instituting occupational health surveillance of COVID-19, ensuring paid sick and quarantine policy