ABSTRACT
Background: Workers whose occupations put them in contact with infected persons and the public are at increased risk of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection. Recommendations: The Collegium Ramazzini calls on governments at all levels to protect worker health by strengthening public health systems;maintaining comprehensive social insurance systems;establishing policies that presume all COVID-19 infections in high-risk workers are work-related;enforcing all occupational health standards;and developing pandemic preparedness plans. The Collegium Ramazzini calls on all employers-large and small, public and private-to protect the health of all workers by developing disease preparedness plans;implementing basic infection control measures;establishing disease identification and isolation policies;reducing hazardous exposures;supporting personal protective equipment (PPE) programs;and restricting unnecessary travel. Conclusion(s): Governments and employers have legal obligations to protect worker health. They are not relieved of these duties during pandemics.Copyright © 2020 American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.