Revised Protocol to help employers and workers manage return to work safely

A guidance document setting out best practice for keeping the workplace safe to help employers and their employees return to work safely, has been published.

On January 21st, the Government announced the relaxation of many public health measures, including the requirement on public health grounds, to work from home unless necessary to attend in person. The phased return to the physical workplace is now underway.

The Transitional Protocol, announced by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar T.D., is a general guidance document applicable to all sectors. It is not designed to prohibit the introduction of further specific measures in particular sectors or workplaces. Further specific measures can be introduced as long as they enhance the measures set out in the Protocol.

Covid-19 infection prevention and control (IPC) measures should still be part of any workplace risk assessment. Therefore, the control measures set out in the Protocol should remain a focus for employers, business managers and employees, with many elements considers good practice. It remains critically important that everyone continues to play their part in limiting transmission.

The revision of the Work Safely Protocol, Transitional Protocol - Good Practice Guidance for Continuing to Prevent the Spread of Covid-19 can be accessed at https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/Publications/Transitional-Protocol-COVID-19. html

The Good Practice Guidance is the latest such document, reflecting the most up to date advice on the safe operation of workplace since the Return to Work Safely Protocol first published in May 2020. The revised Protocol incorporates the current Public Health advice, on the measures needed to reduce the spread of Covid-19 in the community and in workplaces as issued by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and the Department of Health.

It has been revised following engagement with employer and employee representative groups.

The Health and Safety Authority’s Contact Centre remains available to employers and employees to raise queries or concerns – visit has.ie