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COVID-19 Resources

Home > Resources > COVID-19 Resources

COVID-19 Resources

Updated 16 July 2021

National Irish Safety Organisation will post up to date information on the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic from reputable sources as it becomes available.

Scroll down through the page to access resources, updates and information from the following sources: 

  • Government of Ireland
  • Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
  • Department of Health
  • Health Service Executive (HSE)
  • Department of Health and HSE posters and resource pages
  • Health and Safety Authority (HSA)
  • Workplace Relations Commission (WRC)
  • Ibec COVID-19 Hub
  • National Standards Authority of Ireland
  • Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC)
  • Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA)
  • Teagasc
  • European Centre for Disease Control
  • International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
  • European Agency for Occupational Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA)
  • Mental Health Ireland
  • International Labour Organization (ILO)

Government of Ireland 

Please see the further information on the current Level 5 restrictions here: Ireland is moving to Level 5. [Last updated 30 April 2021]

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment [Updated 7 July 2021]

  • Work Safely Protocol [Updated 14 May 2020]

The Work Safely Protocol is the second revision of the Return to Work Safely Protocol, first published in May 2020. This revised Protocol incorporates the current advice on the Public Health measures needed to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the community and workplaces, as issued by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and the Department of Health.

The Work Safely Protocol is the result of a collaborative effort, led by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and involving primarily the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), with significant input by public health from the Department of Health and the Health Services Executive (HSE).

Download the Work Safely Protocol

 

  • Staying safe at work resources

[7 July 2021] Staying safe at work resources – good ventilation

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has created some new social media content and an additional poster on the dos and don’ts of ventilation.

  • Good ventilation is key to reducing the spread of #COVID19 in the workplace. However – desk or ceiling fans can give a false sense of security; they may recirculate rather than remove virus droplets. #WorkSafely with appropriate natural or mechanical ventilation.
  • New poster on the dos and don’ts of ventilation:  Ventilation poster

 

[27 May 2021] Staying safe at work resources – ventilation

To #WorkSafely, remember that good ventilation is key to mitigating the spread of #COVID19.

    • Opening of windows that allow outdoor air to flow in
    • Social distancing and mask wearing
    • Airing of rooms when they are unoccupied

 

[30 April 2021] Staying safe at work resources – Physical Distancing During Lunch Breaks

Physical distancing during breaks can help you #WorkSafely & prevent #COVID19 outbreaks. You can:

    • Prevent gatherings
    • Reorganise areas to accommodate 2m distancing
    • Stagger canteen use
    • Manage queues w/markings
    • Encourage card payment
    • Provide one-way access

 

[19 April 2021] Staying safe at work resources – Physical Distancing in the Workplace

 

[15 April 2021] Staying safe at work resources – Public Health Messaging

  • A reminder about using Public Health messaging in workplaces and to think about checking and renewing posters to remind people about the measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. A wide variety of COVID-19 awareness posters, booklets and videos are available here:  HSE: COVID-19 posters and resources
  • Public Messaging Video MP4

 

[9 April 2021] Staying safe at work resources – Cleaning

 

[4 April 2021] Staying safe at work resources – Hand Washing

[30 March 2021] Staying safe at work resources – Face Masks

All the Irish language COVID-19 Work Safely content from the DETE is available to view and download in the Sharefile link below:
Work Safely – Irish language content  

 

Guidance for working remotely during COVID-19

National guidance for employers and employees seeking to engage with remote working solutions.

Download Guidance for working remotely during COVID-19

  • Support Call Centre

Support Call Centre – for information on the government supports available to businesses and enterprises affected by COVID-19:

Business Continuity Voucher

Department of Health

For the most up to date information and developments regarding coronavirus (COVID-19) we recommend that you visit the Department of Health’s dedicated COVID-19 resource page – https://bit.ly/2VRRw15

The latest information, advice and guidelines will be published here and updated daily.

From this page you can access up to date information on the following: 

    • Latest updates
    • Health advice
    • Travel advice
    • Ireland’s response to coronavirus (COVID-19)
    • Social Welfare advice for employers, employees and self employed
    • Information from across government

Department of Health COVID-19 web page

  • Department of Health Guidance on Face masks (23 July 2020)

Three updated posters relating to face masks now available:

    • One specifying mandatory on public transport
    • One specifying that they are strongly advised in shops, and
    • One catch-all poster suitable for many contexts and scenarios that simply states “please wear a face covering here” which has broad usage possibilities

Download the new Department of Health face mask posters

  • Department of Health Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dashboard

Dashboard developed by the Department of Health displaying the latest COVID-19 statistics in Ireland including:

  • case totals (confirmed cases and deaths)
  • a detailed profile of confirmed cases
  • comparisons from around the world

Access the dashboard here: https://bit.ly/2QWbfef

Health Service Executive (HSE)

For health information and updates on COVID-19 please visit the HSE’s dedicated COVID-19 web portal:

https://www2.hse.ie/coronavirus/

HSE COVID-19 web portal

Department of Health and HSE posters and resource pages

Information posters, leaflets and social media assets are available for download from the HSE and Department of Health websites. This material includes very useful, visual information on how to prevent COVID-19, symptoms, social distancing, hand hygiene etc., and is regularly updated. Most of this material is available in several languages.

HSE Website: https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/news/newsfeatures/covid19-updates/partner-resources/ 

Department of Health: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/ee0781-covid-19-posters-for-public-use/

COVID-19 Downloads from HSE

COVID-19 Downloads from Department of Health

Health and Safety Authority (HSA) [Updated 16 July 2021]

The HSA has the following useful resources available on its website, hsa.ie (please click on the links below):

    • 16 July 2021: Employee Checklist – Ventilation
      • This Checklist addresses ventilation, which is one of the key control measures to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 in the workplace. It is important that in following this guidance, your building continues to comply with existing health and safety, fire safety and building regulations.
      • Access this checklist here: https://bit.ly/3wQrwn8
    • 21 May 2021: Employer Checklists [Planning and Preparation; Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Measures; COVID-19 Induction; Dealing with a Suspected Case of COVID-19; Cleaning and Disinfection and Ventilation]
      • These checklists and templates have been prepared to help employers, business owners and managers to get their business up and running again and to inform workers about what they need to do to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. They have been drafted based on the Government’s Work Safely Protocol and should be read in conjunction with the Work Safety Protocol. Employers and workers must work together to keep workplaces safe. These checklists will help you to do that.
      • Access the series of checklists here: https://bit.ly/3nanHoC
    • 21 May 2021: Employer Checklist
      • This checklist has been developed to inform workers about what they need to do to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in their workplace. Employers and workers must work together to protect everyone at the workplace.
      • Access the Employer Checklist here: https://bit.ly/2W21HUx
    • 21 May 2021: Lead Worker Representative(s) Checklist
      • This checklist has been developed to help those appointed as a Lead Workplace Representative understand their role in helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in their workplace and in the community.
      • Access the Lead Worker Representative(s) Checklist and Posters here: https://bit.ly/3nanHoC
    • 29 July 2020: The HSA has launched two online Return to Work Safely courses. These new courses, the Return to Work Safely Induction and Lead Worker Representative, have been developed to help give employers and employees a better understanding of the Return to Work Safely Protocol. Access the HSA’s Return to Work Safely Online Courses
    • COVID-19 Advice for Employers
    • FAQs for Employers and Employees in Relation to Home Working on a temporary basis
    • COVID-19 Additional HSA FAQs
    • COVID-19 – Placing PPE on the EU market – New Conformity Procedures https://bit.ly/3ctVcMU
  •  

HSA COVID-19 Page

Workplace Relations Commission (WRC)

Adjudication Hearings, Conciliation Meetings, Face-to-Face Mediations, and cancellation of on-site Inspections until after Monday 18 May 2020.

Parties can submit complaints for adjudication using the online complaint form at the following link: https://www.workplacerelations.ie/en/e-complaint_form/

Contact

Ibec COVID-19 Hub: advice for employers

  • Ibec COVID-19 Hub – Updated 9 January 2021 with information on the following:
    • Managing close contacts of confirmed cases,
    • implications for employers of school closures,
    • links to the relevant public health advice and guidance and
    • mental health and wellbeing during COVID-19.
    • Visit Ibec COVID-19 Hub

Ibec COVID-19 Hub

National Standards Authority of Ireland

NSAI COVID-19 Resources

Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) (advice for the general public and for specific groups and settings including employers, healthcare professionals, education settings and religious settings)

HSPC COVID-19 Resources

Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA)

New publication entitled Regulatory assessment framework of the preparedness of designated centre for older people for a COVID-19 outbreak provides information on how HIQA plans to support nursing homes to prepare for a COVID-19 outbreak.

The document sets out the supports and resources available to registered providers and designated centres during this public health emergency which have been made available by the Health Service Executive.

View HIQA nursing home guidance document

Teagasc

Visit the Teagasc website

European Centre for Disease Control

  • Using face masks in the community

Using face masks in the community (technical report) Reducing COVID-19 transmission from potentially asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic people through the use of face mask. This document provides the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) opinion on the suitability of face masks and other face covers in the community by individuals who are not ill in order to reduce the potential pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic transmission of COVID-19 from the mask wearer to others. Available at https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/infographic-using-face-masks-community

Using face masks in the community (infographic) Useful and clear guidance from the ECDC on the use of face masks in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Available at https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/infographic-using-face-masks-community

  • Surveillance of COVID-19 at long-term care facilities in the EU-EEA

Surveillance of COVID-19 at long-term care facilities in the EU-EEA (technical report and infographic) The high COVID-19 morbidity and mortality observed among residents in long-term care facilities (LTCF) in EU/EEA countries poses a major challenge for disease prevention and control in such settings. This document provides guidance for EU/EEA Member States planning to implement monitoring systems at LTCFs and describes the surveillance objectives. Available at https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/surveillance-COVID-19-long-term-care-facilities-EU-EEA

Visit the ECDE webpage

International Organization for Standardization (ISO)

Freely available ISO standards, in read-only format, to support global efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic are available here: https://www.iso.org/covid19-home

ISO COVID-19 resources

European Agency for Occupational Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA)

  • Practical tools and guidance on musculoskeletal disorders

An easy-to-use database from EU-OSHA is  which includes a variety of practical tools and guidance materials developed at EU and national levels to help manage MSD risks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The variety of resources is quite comprehensive and includes guidance material for a wide range of sectors, hazard types and prevention measures. Some are specifically aimed at particular groups, i.e., employers, workers or managers or particular groups of workers.

Visit EU-OSHA COVID-19 & MSD Management Resource Page

  • COVID-19: BACK TO THE WORKPLACE – Adapting workplaces and protecting workers

New EU-OSHA publication which includes non-binding guidelines that aim to help employers and workers to stay safe and healthy in a working environment that has changed significantly because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

They give advice on risk assessment and appropriate measures such as minimising exposure, resuming work, coping with absences and managing workers working from home.

Workers’ involvement and taking care of those who have been ill is also included as well as information and further links for many sectors, occupations and countries.

EU-OSHA – COVID-19: Back to the workplace

Mental Health Ireland

Minding our Mental Health during COVID-19

Mental Health Ireland has lots of great resources on its website to help get through this challenging time. It includes great information on supporting ourselves, supporting others, tips and coping strategies and also service and support lines.

Visit Mental Health Ireland

International Labour Organization (ILO)

  • Publication: In the face of a pandemic: Ensuring Health and Safety at Work

  • Guidance Note: A safe and healthy return to work during the COVID-19 pandemic The International Labour Organization has issued guidance for a safe and healthy return to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Guidance Note emphasises a human centred approach to return to work policies. The Guidance Note is accompanied by a 10-point, Practical Guidance action checklist for employers, workers and their representatives. This tool is intended to complement and not replace national occupational safety and health regulations and guidance, to help establish the practical details of a safe return to work. Download here: https://bit.ly/2ZzUc6F

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at https://www.dfa.ie/ (travel advice)

Centre for Disease Control at https://www.cdc.gov/

World Health Organisation (WHO)

NISO Hand Washing Technique Poster

If you would like to purchase the NISO Hand Washing Technique Poster for your place of work please click here, contact info@niso.ie or phone 085 219 6132.