Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has occurred in a wide range of workplaces. Outside of healthcare facilities, COVID-19 outbreaks have been reported in workplaces with

• person-to-person contact
• Inadequate ventilation
• Common eating areas
• Shared work accommodation and shared travel to and from work

Several factors can contribute to SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the workplace including:

• occupation
• work environment
• factors outside work
• socio-demographics
• occupational factors

Health workers have the highest risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, however, COVID-19 outbreaks have been described for other sectors such as:

• service and sales workers
• workers in education
• hospitality workers
• construction workers
• domestic workers
• meat-processing factory workers
• drivers and transportation workers

Occupations that allow for remote work have shown a lower risk of infection.

Work environment

Workplaces with person-to-person contact, inadequate ventilation and shared eating areas have reported higher rates of COVID-19. Outbreaks have been identified in a number of different work environments, among others

• office environment
• meat-processing facilities and other factories
• fitness centres
• Transportation (e.g ships)
• migrant work camps

Factors outside work

• Shared accommodation
• Commuting and work-related travel
• Social gathering of co-workers

Socio-demographic factors

Socio-demographic factors are associated with higher risk of occupational exposure to SARS-COV-2 and include:

• low-income
• female gender
• immigrant status
• increasing age

in the next post we will discuss about the ways of protecting workers from getting SARS-CoV-2 and the ways of reducing transmission at the work.