Health workers are at the front line of the COVID-19 outbreak response and as such are exposed to different hazards that put them at risk. Occupational hazards include exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens, violence, harassment, stigma, discrimination, heavy workload, and prolonged use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Mitigating these hazards and protecting the health, safety and well-being of health workers requires well-coordinated and comprehensive measures for infection prevention and control, occupational health and safety, health workforce management and mental health and psychosocial support. Insufficient occupational health and safety measures can result in increased rates of work-related illness among health workers, high rates of absenteeism, reduced productivity, and diminished quality of care.
Watch the event HERE