Occupational Health and Safety—Risks from COVID-19

Abstract

The World Health Organization (WHO) views occupational health as related to all aspects of health and safety in the workplace. WHO’s main focus is the prevention of hazards or reduction of negative influences of environmental factors and health-related risks such as stress-related disorders, communicable diseases, and others. Occupational health and safety do not only affect working individuals but also their families and coworkers. It is imperative for policymakers and managers to promote occupational health and safety so that individuals can operate in their working environments which are free of risks and hazards. Exemplified by the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus in late 2019, occupational risk factors become more prominent and even eminent problems for policymakers, industries, and employees. The COVID-19 pandemic was seriously affecting various sectors, employees, and thus the global population. Promotion of occupational health and safety requires the consorted efforts of the policymakers, organisations, employees, healthcare professionals, as well as the community. This chapter reviews the risks brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic on occupational health and safety, governmental policies and organisational measures in mitigating such risks, as well as individual and public responses from the primary healthcare perspective. Stakeholders such as government officials, policymakers, healthcare professionals, community health practitioners, employers, and employees are recommended to take reference to the global framework for healthy workplaces advocated by the World Health Organization to protect occupational health and safety.