24th Collegium Ramazzini Statement: Prevention of Work-Related Infection in the COVID-19 Pandemic. Issue 8 (August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Is Part Of: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 62:Issue 8(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-08
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- disease preparedness plans -- infectious disease -- pandemic -- personal protective equipment -- public health -- worker health; Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Occupational Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental health; Medicine, Industrial; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000001916
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1076-2752

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Workers whose occupations put them in contact with infected persons and the public are at increased risk of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection. Recommendations: The Collegium Ramazzini calls on governments at all levels to protect worker health by strengthening public health systems; maintaining comprehensive social insurance systems; establishing policies that presume all COVID-19 infections in high-risk workers are work-related; enforcing all occupational health standards; and developing pandemic preparedness plans. The Collegium Ramazzini calls on all employers—large and small, public and private—to protect the health of all workers by developing disease preparedness plans; implementing basic infection control measures; establishing disease identification and isolation policies; reducing hazardous exposures; supporting personal protective equipment (PPE) programs; and restricting unnecessary travel. Conclusion: Governments and employers have legal obligations to protect worker health. They are not relieved of these duties during pandemics. Abstract : Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text