Resource: Promoting respiratory infection safety in the workplace - A protocol

Organisations looking for guidance on how to keep staff safe from respiratory infection now have a new resource. The Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, has developed a protocol, Promoting respiratory infection safety in the workplace.

This protocol is primarily designed to reduce transmission of respiratory infections during Department activities involving department staff, students, collaborators, and research participants. It is expected that these protocols will reduce transmission of Covid-19, influenza, RSV, and other infections spread by the respiratory route, including emerging epidemic and pandemic pathogens. Actions to improve ventilation in crowded rooms can also generate measurable improvements in alertness and concentration.

Adaptation to other settings

While this protocol has been developed for the Department of Public Health at the University of Otago Wellington, respiratory infection risk is a potential concern in any setting where people are meeting indoors. The approach presented in this document is versatile and is designed to be readily adaptable to other organisational settings.

The document is expected to evolve as new evidence and technologies emerge. Updated versions will be uploaded as they become available.

If you are using content from the policy, please cite this document and its version number as a source so the authors can track where and when it’s being used.

Any comments or questions, please contact the lead author, Assoc Prof Amanda Kvalsvig (amanda.kvalsvig@otago.ac.nz).

Further reading from PHCC:

You can download the protocol here.

Resource: Promoting respiratory infection safety in the workplace - A protocol

Adaptation to other settings

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