The Ministry of Commerce Industry and Labour is urging Public and Private Sector employers and workers to adopt control measures to ensure the safe execution of work and minimize the spread of COVID 19 within workplaces.
This is outline in a statement issued earlier this month by the Ministry.
“In line with the Occupational Safety and Health Act 2002, Regulations 2017 and Guidelines on Respiratory Viruses, and relevant SOE Orders, Public and Private Sector employers and workers are advised to adopt control measures to ensure the safe execution of work and minimize the spread of COVID 19 within workplaces.
To facilitate the vaccination of staff with the assistance of public health officials and advice including the provision of sufficient time off.
Also to enforce policies around regular testing and instruct staff that test positive or identified as close contacts or experiencing symptoms to stay home until a negative test is confirmed.
Furthermore to enforce physical distancing in communal areas, especially for those unvaccinated and vulnerable workers.
The provision of relevant Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to workers that suits the type of work e.g. face covering or face shield.
“Also to ensure employees are educated on the workplace policies in place including placement of sufficient signage and to maintain ventilation systems as a key engineering control to reduce the risk of the virus spreading indoors e.g. open windows and use of electric fans.”
The Ministry also urged routine cleaning and disinfection keeping in mind to exercise caution when dealing with cleaning chemicals including proper storage.
