Covid vaccination - can it be required on H&S grounds? Replace virus / COVID-19 with a different Biological Hazardous Substance — Stuart Oakey
Thing is Stuart, it is a virus and as such from a H&S perspective what controls and monitoring Are you thinking of?
It will be interesting to see how Ireland fares, given a similar population size, and number of ICU beds. Ireland's Department Of Enterprise, Trade And Employment has developed a
Work Safely Protocol worth down loading and having a read. Sections of particular interest could be D. Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Pg 43.
If as a part of your risk assessment, you are going to use CO2 monitors to identify poorly ventilated areas, there is some HSE advice
here,
Control of ventilation does seem to be a key aspect of preventing the spread of Covid19's latest variant, along with cleaning, the Irish protocol has this to say on that:
D10. Cleaning
Employers must:
• implement thorough and regular cleaning of frequently touched surfaces. If disinfection of an
area is required, it must be performed in addition to cleaning, never as a substitute for
cleaning,
• ensure contact/touch surfaces such as table tops, work equipment, door handles and
handrails are visibly clean at all times and are cleaned at least twice daily,
• implement modified cleaning intervals for rooms and work areas. This applies especially for
washroom facilities, lockers and communal spaces. Cleaning should be performed at least
twice per day and whenever facilities are visibly dirty,
• provide workers with essential cleaning materials to keep their own workspace clean
(for example wipes/disinfection products, paper towels and waste bins/bags),
• provide workers with hand sanitisers and cleaning equipment for their work vehicle,
with cleaning taking place before and after each shift,
• increase number of waste collection points and ensure these are emptied regularly
throughout and at the end of each day, and
• modify use of hot desks to ensure that these are made available to identified staff
and have appropriate cleaning materials in place for workers to clean the area before
and after using
Note: In relation to routine disposal of waste in the workplace, waste such as used tissues,
wipes and cleaning material should be disposed of in the regular domestic waste stream.
Hands should be cleaned immediately after disposal of these items.
In relation to disposal of waste from a worker who becomes symptomatic while at work,
this waste should be disposed of in a disposable refuse bag.
When the waste bag is three quarters full, it should be tied securely and placed into a second refuse bag and tied again. The bag should then be left in a safe location for three days (72 hours) before putting out for collection.
For further advice, please contact your relevant Local Authority — Department Of Enterprise, Trade And Employment (Ireland)