Torosyan approves methodological guidelines for assessing risks of  COVID-19 infection in the workplace

ArmInfo. By the decision of the RA Minister of Health Arsen Torosyan, a methodological guide for assessing the risks of COVID-19 infection in the workplace was approved.

According to the ministry, the guidelines are intended for those  involved in organizing the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 in  the workplace, developing standard procedures for action, as well as  for public health professionals, and includes general guidelines of a  non-systemic nature for workplaces. COVID-19 is transmitted mainly  through airborne droplets and through contaminated surfaces.  Work-related dangers can be exposed at any time: in the workplace,  when visiting a community where the coronavirus is spread, and on the  way to and from work. The risk of contracting COVID-19 due to work  depends on the likelihood of close (social distance less than 1  meter) contact with symptomatic or asymptomatic patients, as well as  frequent contact. Within the same work environment, there may be jobs  or tasks containing risks of different levels. Therefore, risk  assessment must take into account the work environment, tasks,  threats, and available resources (eg personal protective equipment).  Employer assessments of workplace risks should be carried out  regularly, in consultation with public health authorities.

The workplace action plan should include health and safety measures  aimed at temporarily stopping, resuming activities in the workplace,  and, if necessary, changing working conditions. The action plan and  preventive measures taken should be regularly updated based on the  epidemic situation and trends in its development, new cases of  COVID-19 in the workplace or in case of non-compliance with safety  rules by employees, visitors or customers. Measures to prevent and  mitigate the impact of COVID-19 must be combined with actions to  address other health and safety risks such as ergonomic problems,  workload and working hours, telecommuting, psychosocial risks, and so  on. When developing and implementing programs to prevent and mitigate  the consequences of COVID-19, it is necessary to consult with public  health authorities, as well as inform employees about the measures  implemented.

A number of public health and social measures were organized and  implemented in Armenia in the direction of the fight against  coronavirus, including restrictions on movement, partial or complete  cessation of the activities of schools and business entities, the  establishment of isolation and / or self-isolation in specific  geographic areas, restrictions on international travel. Depending on  the epidemic situation, the preventive and anti-epidemic measures  taken in different countries, including the Republic of Armenia, have  changed accordingly (removal of restrictions). Given the fact that  international approaches are changing, this document may be amended,  taking as a basis the new approaches of WHO.