How can we better protect ourselves in the workplace from biological hazards such as viruses, bacteria, endoparasites, but also allergens, toxins and irritants of plant and animal origin? An international convention under the auspices of the #ILO* now sets out the principles for this. It also provides specific recommendations: https://www.ilo.org/resource/record-decisions/recommendation-concerning-prevention-and-protection-against-biological
It is very positive that the ILO emphasizes the importance of airborne transmission. Article 5 of the recommendations begins with “The modes of transmission mentioned in (…) the Convention include: (a) transmission through the air, which involves the biological hazards travelling through or being suspended in the air;”.
Repeatedly, it is emphasized that the aim is to prevent the transmission of hazards. Simply observing, counting cases of illness and administering vaccinations is therefore clearly not enough. Let us hope that the participating countries will now rapidly implement the recommendations! Switzerland, by the way, was one of the supporters of the convention and the associated recommendations.
*) The 113th session of the International Labor Conference took place in early June 2025 in Geneva and was organized by the International Labor Organization ILO https://www.ilo.org/international-labour-conference/113th-session-international-labour-conference. Most of the texts can be downloaded in English, French, German and several other languages.