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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.shaw.2021.01.001

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

Sandal, Abdulsamet (Occupational Diseases Clinic, Ankara Occupational and Environmental Diseases Hospital)
Yildiz, Ali N. (Department of Public Health, Hacettepe University, School of Medicine)
Publication Information
Safety and Health at Work / v.12, no.1, 2021 , pp. 136-138 More about this Journal
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.
Keywords
COVID-19; Occupational infectious disease; Workers' compensation;
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