Saf Health Work.  2021 Mar;12(1):136-138. 10.1016/j.shaw.2021.01.001.

COVID-19 as a Recognized Work-Related Disease: The Current Situation Worldwide

Affiliations
  • 1Occupational Diseases Clinic, Ankara Occupational and Environmental Diseases Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
  • 2Department of Public Health, Hacettepe University, School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is a newly emerging infectious disease worldwide, can be categorized as an occupational disease, because employees, particularly in the healthcare system, can be infected at the workplace. As of December 15, 2020, we summarized the occupational safety and health practices in selected countries on the recognition of COVID-19 as one of the occupational risks. The situation has differed among countries, including the recognition status and whether a specific regulation existed. International organizations, namely the International Labour Organization, World Health Organization, and European Union, should plan and conduct studies on the work-relatedness of COVID-19, propose criteria for recognition, and add the infection to the occupational disease list to provide a basis for specific country regulations. Stakeholders should also act to adjust country-level legislation.

Keyword

COVID-19; Occupational infectious disease; Workers’ compensation
Full Text Links
  • SHAW
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr