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
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]
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
[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.
[27 May 2021] Staying safe at work resources – ventilation
To #WorkSafely, remember that good ventilation is key to mitigating the spread of #COVID19.
[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:
[19 April 2021] Staying safe at work resources – Physical Distancing in the Workplace
[15 April 2021] Staying safe at work resources – Public Health Messaging
[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 – 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:
Department of Health COVID-19 web page
Three updated posters relating to face masks now available:
Download the new Department of Health face mask posters
Dashboard developed by the Department of Health displaying the latest COVID-19 statistics in Ireland including:
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/
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 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):
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
National Standards Authority of Ireland
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)
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
European Centre for Disease Control
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 (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
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
European Agency for Occupational Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA)
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
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.
International Labour Organization (ILO)
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.