Saf Health Work.
2021 Dec;12(4):530-535. 10.1016/j.shaw.2021.08.003.
Overview of Legal Measures for Managing Workplace COVID-19 Infection Risk in Several Asia-Pacific Countries
- Affiliations
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- 1D Miller Consultancy, New Zealand
- 2Ph.D. Program in Global Health and Health Security, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan
- 3Department of Environmental Health, Korea National Open University, Republic of Korea
- 4Faculty of Public Health, University of Indonesia, Indonesia
- 5Indonesian Industrial Hygiene Association, Indonesia
- 6Department of Hygiene, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Japan
- 7Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
- 8Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Thailand
- 9Occupational Safety and Health Center, Philippines
- 10Industrial Hygiene (Custodian) Health & Safety, PETRONAS Group HSSE, Malaysia
- 11Industrial Hygienists Association of the Philippines, Inc., Philippines
- 12Department of Public Health, Fu-Jen Catholic University, Taiwan
- 13National Institute of Chemical Safety, Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea
- 14School of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan
- 15Force Health Protection & Preventive Medicine, MEDDAC-Korea, Unit #15281, US Army, United States
- 16Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Republic of Korea
- 17Hashimoto Occupational Safety and Hygiene Consulting, Japan
- 18Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Institute of Health and Environment, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea
- 19Division of Vector-borne Diseases, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand
- KMID: 2523628
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.shaw.2021.08.003
Abstract
- Background
Despite the lack of official COVID-19 statistics, various workplaces and occupations have been at the center of COVID-19 outbreaks. We aimed to compare legal measures and governance established for managing COVID-19 infection risks at workplaces in nine Asia and Pacific countries and to recommend key administrative measures.
Methods
We collected information on legal measures and governance from both general citizens and workers regarding infection risks such as COVID-19 from industrial hygiene professionals in nine countries (Indonesia, India, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Republic of the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand) using a structured questionnaire.
Results
A governmental body overseeing public health and welfare was in charge of containing the spread and occurrence of infectious diseases under an infectious disease control and prevention act or another special act, although the name of the pertinent organizations and legislation vary among countries. Unlike in the case of other traditional hazards, there have been no specific articles or clauses describing the means of mitigating virus risk in the workplace that are legally required of employers, making it difficult to define the responsibilities of the employer. Each country maintains own legal systems regarding access to the duration, administration, and financing of paid sick leave. Many workers may not have access to paid sick leave even if it is legally guaranteed.
Conclusion
Specific legal measures to manage infectious disease risks, such as providing proper personal protective equipment, education, engineering control measures, and paid sick leave are recommended to be stipulated in Industrial safety and health-related acts.
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