The COVID-19 pandemic reminds us of the importance of occupational health and safety to protect workers from the potential dangers of occupational diseases and other health problems, including infectious diseases or diseases that are currently endemiJakarta (ANTARA) - Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has called for greater attention to be paid to the safety of workers in the workplace, particularly their health, to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
"The COVID-19 pandemic reminds us of the importance of occupational health and safety to protect workers from the potential dangers of occupational diseases and other health problems, including infectious diseases or diseases that are currently endemic," he said here on Wednesday.
The minister explained that the workplace is one of the places which have a fairly high potential for COVID-19 transmission. Social activities, starting from activities with the family at home, in the neighborhood, to the workplace, are considered to affect the number of national positive cases, he noted.
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There are five necessary things that need to be done to maintain health in the work environment to prevent additional cases from occurring, he said. One of them is barcode screening using the PeduliLindungi application, followed by a temperature check, he added.
Second, an office or factory must establish and activate a COVID-19 Task Force as a means to conduct behavioral surveillance as well as follow up on suspects or confirmed cases should any be found in the workplace, Sadikin said.
“The pandemic is not yet expected to end. So, we will prepare ourselves to coexist with COVID-19," he remarked.
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He reiterated that it is important for everyone in the work environment to increase awareness of their fellow workers, so they always follow the health protocols in a disciplined manner, such as using masks properly, washing hands every time they do activities, and maintaining distance.
They also must encourage each other to get COVID-19 vaccinations, which will increase immunity against the virus, thus protecting those around them, the minister said.
Educating workers to better recognize the types of COVID-19 symptoms and increase self-awareness is also very important to reduce unwanted risks, he added.
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He opined that workers can contribute to stemming virus transmission in the workplace through these efforts as well as assist in handling the pandemic in the public. This will help improve workers' health and revive the economic sector, he said.
"By conducting these efforts, it is expected that in the future, it can also support business continuity, economic recovery, and growth, as well as (ensure) higher national productivity by strengthening and increasing the imposition of occupational safety and health," Sadikin added.
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Translator: Hreeloita D S, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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