PEROSH-COVID-19 Coordination Platform; Impressions and Lessons Learned
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, PEROSH took the initiative to set up an online platform for intensified collaboration between its members on issues related to the protection against the corona virus. There were many questions on testing and certification of respiratory protective equipment and the platform assisted in sharing experiences, testing protocols and other insights. Gradually, the discussions on the platform moved to return to work guidelines.
Scientists from PEROSH institutes, working according to their institute’s national role or as part of national task forces are providing advice on suitability of personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers; investigating methods for PPE decontamination and reuse as a last resort if supplies fail; developing evidence to inform effective measures to control the risk of workplace transmission and to identify its contribution to total transmission; and informing advice by government ministries to support the health of those working from home.
In a presentation during the IETOX2020 conference, the platform was presented and major discussions and findings shared. Furthermore, HSE from the United Kingdom, one of the PEROSH members, shared its experiences on how they made use of the platform for rapid reviews and coming to grips with the chaotic information overflow in the beginning of the pandemic. Almost 500 on line attendees from IETOX2020 watched the presentation.
You can download the presentation here and have a look at the video recording that was kindly shared by the conference organizers.
More information can be obtained from the speakers:
Jan Michiel Meeuwsen MA, Manager International Affairs PEROSH
Email: janmichiel.meeuwsen@perosh.eu
Prof. Andrew Curran, member PEROSH Steering Committee for Health and Safety Executive (HSE, United Kingdom), Chief Scientific Adviser, Director of Research and Head of GSE Profession
Email: Andrew.Curran@hse.gov.uk
