COVID-19 Prevention and Control Measures in Workplace Settings: A Rapid Review and Meta-Analysis

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Fionn Cléirigh Büttner¹  Cyril Onwuelazu Uteh¹  Shiraz Syed¹  Mark Roe¹  Jaspal Kumar¹  Kadri-Ann Kallas¹  Peter Naughton¹  Alejandro Rojas-Chaves¹  Carolyn Ingram¹  Vicky Downey¹  Shibu Shrestha¹  Yanbing Chen¹  Conor Buggy¹  Carla Perrotta¹  Mary Archibald¹ 

[1] School of Public Health, Physiotherapy, and Sports Science, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland;

关键词: occupational health and safety;    infection prevention;    COVID-19;    control measures;    workers;    review;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph18157847

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Workplaces can be high-risk environments for SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks and subsequent community transmission. Identifying, understanding, and implementing effective workplace SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention and control (IPC) measures is critical to protect workers, their families, and communities. A rapid review and meta-analysis were conducted to synthesize evidence assessing the effectiveness of COVID-19 IPC measures implemented in global workplace settings through April 2021. Medline, Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Library were searched for studies that quantitatively assessed the effectiveness of workplace COVID-19 IPC measures. The included studies comprised varying empirical designs and occupational settings. Measures of interest included surveillance measures, outbreak investigations, environmental adjustments, personal protective equipment (PPE), changes in work arrangements, and worker education. Sixty-one studies from healthcare, nursing home, meatpacking, manufacturing, and office settings were included, accounting for ~280,000 employees based in Europe, Asia, and North America. Meta-analyses showed that combined IPC measures resulted in lower employee COVID-19 positivity rates (0.2% positivity; 95% CI 0–0.4%) than single measures such as asymptomatic PCR testing (1.7%; 95% CI 0.9–2.9%) and universal masking (24%; 95% CI 3.4–55.5%). Modelling studies showed that combinations of (i) timely and widespread contact tracing and case isolation, (ii) facilitating smaller worker cohorts, and (iii) effective use of PPE can reduce workplace transmission. Comprehensive COVID-19 IPC measures incorporating swift contact tracing and case isolation, PPE, and facility zoning can effectively prevent workplace outbreaks. Masking alone should not be considered sufficient protection from SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks in the workplace.

【 授权许可】

Unknown