New Global ISO Standard for COVID-19 Released

The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) has released a new OHS Standard on working safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes practical guidance on protecting workers as they return to their workplaces under easing restrictions.

ISO said ISO/PAS 45005, Occupational health and safety management – General guidelines for safe working during the COVID-19 pandemic, was developed in just three months in response to the urgency of the situation and the need for such information now.

The Standard, which is available for free in read-only format, brings together international best practice on how to manage the health and safety of employees and stakeholders during the COVID-19 pandemic and is intended to complement any existing national guidelines and regulations.

Sally Swingewood, Manager of the committee that developed the document, said it provides practical recommendations on managing any risks arising from COVID-19 and is applicable regardless of an organisation’s location or status.

“We recognize that not every business has a dedicated human resources or OHS function,” she said.

“Therefore, the guidance is practical and appropriate whatever their size, and irrespective of the approach taken to managing the pandemic in their particular jurisdiction.”

ISO says that by implementing the guidance in this document, an organisation will be able to:

• take effective action to protect workers and other relevant interested parties from the risks related to COVID-19;
• demonstrate that it is addressing risks related to COVID-19 using a systematic approach;
• put in place a framework to enable effective and timely adaptation to the changing situation.

Experts from 26 countries worked to produce the guidelines, which may be developed into a formal standard, depending on the future course of the pandemic and emergence of new information.