ISO/PAS 45005 Guidance for working safely during COVID-19
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020 prompted ISO occupational health and safety (OH&S) experts to develop comprehensive generic guidance about protecting staff while continuing to function effectively.
Published in December 2020, ISO/PAS 45005:2020, Occupational health and safety management – General guidelines for safe working during the COVID-19 pandemic was created in response to the urgency of the situation and the immediate need for such information.
The document is available to view for free and can also be purchased from the ISO Store.
[edit] Background
The publicly available specification (PAS) was approved in three months by the 80 member countries of ISO/TC 283 - ISO’s technical committee for occupational health and safety management. The secretariat of ISO/TC 283 is held by BSI, which is ISO’s member for the UK.
The format of the guidance allows it to be updated or developed into a formal standard, depending on the future course of the pandemic and the emergence of new information.
[edit] Scope of guidance
ISO/PAS 45005 includes international best practice about how to manage the health and safety of employees and stakeholders during the COVID-19 pandemic and is intended to complement existing national guidelines and regulations.
It provides guidance for organisations about how to manage the risks arising from COVID-19 to protect work-related health, safety and wellbeing. However, it is not intended to provide guidance about how to implement specific infection control protocols in clinical, healthcare and other settings.
It is suitable for organisations of all sizes and sectors, including those that:
- Have been operating throughout the pandemic.
- Are resuming or planning to resume operations following full or partial closure.
- Are re-occupying workplaces that have been fully or partially closed.
- Are new and planning to operate for the first time.
It also provides guidance relating to the protection of workers (including those workers employed by an organisation, workers of external providers, contractors, self-employed individuals, agency workers, older workers, workers with a disability and first responders), and other relevant parties (including visitors to a workplace and members of the general public).
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- British Standards Institution BSI.
- Coronavirus and the construction industry.
- Health and Safety Executive HSE.
- International Organisation for Standardisation ISO.
- Maintenance.
- Maximising maintenance budgets after lockdown.
- Occupational health.
- Property management.
- Soft facilities management.
- UN Sustainable Development Goals.
[edit] External resources
Featured articles and news
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
CIOB Construction Manager of the Year 2025
Just one of the winners at the CIOB Awards 2025.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.