WHO calls for healthy, safe and decent working conditions for all healthcare professionals in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic

Health workers are on the front line of responding to the COVID-19 epidemic and as such are exposed to the dangers that put them at risk of infection. Dangers include exposure to pathogens, long working hours, psychological distress, fatigue, occupational burnout, stigma, and physical and psychological violence.

Infections with COVID-19, inadequate prevention and control measures for infection, occupational safety, mental health and psychosocial support for health care professionals result in high absenteeism rates and exhaust the health workforce – the most accurate resources available to curb the COVID epidemic.

Key messages and facts

COVID-19 infections among healthcare professionals:

• As of April 21, 2020, States reported to the WHO that over 35,000 health workers were infected with the COVID virus19. This number is much higher due to under-reporting.
• The main occupational risks for COVID19 infection among healthcare professionals are: late recognition or suspicion of COVID-19 in high-risk patients, longer working hours, sub-optimal adherence to prevention and control measures such as hand hygiene, and lack or improper use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Other factors have been documented, such as inadequate or inadequate IPC training for respiratory pathogens, including the COVID-19 virus, as well as long exposures in areas of healthcare settings where a large number of COVID-19 patients are cared for.
• Infection prevention requires the application of appropriate prevention and surveillance measures by all healthcare professionals, with particular emphasis on adherence to hand hygiene and personal protective equipment when caring for patients with COVID-19, as well as a combination of environmental and administrative controls.
• Health workers infected with COVID-19 after exposure at work should be entitled to compensation for occupational injuries at work, including compensation, rehabilitation and curative services.

Violence and stigma against healthcare professionals:

• Health workers are at high risk of violence worldwide. Between 8% and 38% of healthcare professionals have suffered physical violence at some point in their careers. Many are more threatened or exposed to verbal aggression and social stigma because of their work.
• In the COVID19 crisis, lack of staff and resources and increased social tensions result in increased levels of violence against healthcare professionals and even attacks on healthcare facilities. Doctors, nurses, insurance staff, and those who assist with testing, finding contacts, and implementing physical distance measures to stem the threats and aggression of COVID-19.
• WHO calls on governments, employers and workers’ organizations to introduce measures of zero tolerance for violence against health workers in the workplace and on the way to and from their workplaces, and to strengthen social support and respect for health professionals and their families.

Long working hours and psychosocial dangers for healthcare professionals:

• Many healthcare providers have to work longer or irregular hours due to the increasing demand for health services. In addition, in many countries there is a shortage of health workers or younger workers seeking new roles.
• Health care professionals face psychosocial dangers, which are exacerbated in an emergency when demands are increased and they must experience the risk of infection witnessing greater suffering or mortality.
• Long working hours, shift work, high workloads and other psychosocial dangers can lead to fatigue, professional burnout, increased psychological distress or mental health decline – affecting the health of health care professionals and the quality and safety of care provided.
• WHO calls for appropriate staffing levels and clinical rotation in health care settings, measures to reduce psychosocial danger and to facilitate access to mental health and psychosocial support for healthcare professionals.

The annual World Occupational Safety Day on April 28 promotes the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally. It is an awareness-raising campaign that seeks international attention to address the magnitude of the problem and how promoting and creating a safety and health culture can help reduce the number of fatalities and injuries in the workplace.