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Rondinone BM, Valenti A, Boccuni V, Cannone E, Boccuni F, Gagliardi D, Dionisi P, Barillari C, Iavicoli S. Global policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic: results of the ICOH survey. Saf Health Work 2022; 13:141-147. [PMID: 35345447 PMCID: PMC8942434 DOI: 10.1016/j.shaw.2022.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background On the basis of its role for the development of occupational health research, information, good practices, the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) launched the present survey to collect information on public health and prevention policies put in place by the governments of the countries in the world to contain the pandemic. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted through an online questionnaire focused on COVID-19 data, public health policies, prevention measures, support measures for economy, work, and education, personal protective equipment, intensive care units, contact tracing, return to work, and the role of ICOH against COVID-19. The questionnaire was administered to 113 ICOH National Secretaries and senior OSH experts. Collected data refer to the period ranging from the beginning of the pandemic in each country to June 30, 2020. Results A total of 73 questionnaires from 73 countries around the world were considered valid, with a 64.6% response rate. Most of the respondents (71.2%) reported that the state of emergency was declared in their country, and 86.1% reported lockdown measures. Most of the respondents (66.7%) affirmed that the use of face masks was compulsory in their country. As for containment measures, 97.2% indicated that mass gatherings (meetings) were limited. Regarding workplace closing, the most affected sector was entertainment (90.1%). Conclusion The results of this survey are useful to gain a global view on COVID-19 policy responses at country level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna M Rondinone
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority (INAIL), via Fontana Candida 1 - 00078, Monte Porzio Catone (Rome), Italy
| | - Antonio Valenti
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority (INAIL), via Fontana Candida 1 - 00078, Monte Porzio Catone (Rome), Italy
| | - Valeria Boccuni
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority (INAIL), via Fontana Candida 1 - 00078, Monte Porzio Catone (Rome), Italy
| | - Erika Cannone
- International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH), via Fontana Candida 1 - 00078, Monte Porzio Catone (Rome), Italy
| | - Fabio Boccuni
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority (INAIL), via Fontana Candida 1 - 00078, Monte Porzio Catone (Rome), Italy
| | - Diana Gagliardi
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority (INAIL), via Fontana Candida 1 - 00078, Monte Porzio Catone (Rome), Italy
| | - Pierluca Dionisi
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority (INAIL), via Fontana Candida 1 - 00078, Monte Porzio Catone (Rome), Italy.,Directorate-General for Communication and European and International Relations, Ministry of Health, Lungotevere Ripa 1 - 00153, Rome, Italy
| | - Caterina Barillari
- Department of letters and modern Cultures, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5 - 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Iavicoli
- Directorate-General for Communication and European and International Relations, Ministry of Health, Lungotevere Ripa 1 - 00153, Rome, Italy
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Occupational Health and Safety Scope Significance in Achieving Sustainability. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14042424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
A safe and healthy working environment is vital for overall sustainability, due to the fact that it affects opportunities of economic and social development. However, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO), despite the international commitment to Occupational Health and Safety (OSH) via the 2030’s Agenda Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), work-related accidents are still far too common. Work-related mortality accounts for 5% of all deaths worldwide; a toll which has increased dramatically due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, in the context of COVID-19, new demands on the labour market, such as teleworking, adequate protective measures, and proper use of personal protective equipment when physical presence cannot be avoided, are necessitating new approaches to ensure health and safety. Arguably, education can be viewed as a cross-cutting strategy in advance of a culture of safety for future generations, through strengthening skills and broadening knowledge. Indeed, even though education cannot be considered a panacea, related to SDG 4, which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, it can be considered a critical component to deal with OSH issues using a preventive, rather than a reactive, approach. Given this fact, European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) has stressed the prevention approach through mainstreaming OSH in education at all levels, and in all fields of vocational and academic training. Aware of the potential of universities to provide graduates the broad-based knowledge to produce labour-market skills including OSH, the aim of this study is to contribute to the discussion on mainstreaming OSH into Greek university education, using Harokopio University (HUA) as a case study. For this purpose, a web-based survey was conducted to address HUA’s students, faculty members, and staff OSH knowledge, risks awareness, and attitudes, as well as their perceptions, opinions, and beliefs about the role of OSH for academia. A statistical analysis depicted respondents’ high level of willingness to contribute to the promotion of OSH, while additional evidence suggests a considerable commitment of the respondents to participate in HUA’s OSH-related training and education.
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