PATHCHAT Edition No. 71
September 2020
Please contact your local Ampath pathologist for more information.
Authors:
- Dr. Marieke Brauer (Clinical Virologist)
- Dr. Cathy van Rooyen (Immunologist)
Introduction
✅ Workplace Safety During COVID-19
- Employers must implement the latest regulations on health and safety as outlined by the Department of Employment and Labour.
- Refer to the National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH) for detailed guidelines.
- Daily symptom screening (e.g., questionnaires) is mandatory for all employees.
- Preventative measures such as social distancing, hand hygiene, and wearing masks remain essential.
- Screening and laboratory testing strategies can help minimise COVID-19 cases in workplaces.
📌 Employers must enforce strict protocols to reduce COVID-19 transmission risk in the workplace.
Option 1: Risk Mitigation Strategy for Regular Workplaces
✅ Parallel Strategy Using COVID-19 Antibody Testing
- Employees experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should be referred to an occupational health practitioner for assessment.
- Symptomatic individuals should undergo a SARS-CoV-2 PCR test and follow NIOH guidelines.
✅ Routine Antibody Testing for Asymptomatic Employees
- Initial COVID-19 antibody screening (IgG or IgM/IgG) is recommended for all employees.
- Employees testing positive for COVID-19 antibodies should undergo a PCR test to exclude active infection.
- PCR-positive employees must isolate according to Department of Health (DOH) regulations.
✅ Ongoing Screening
- Employees with negative antibody tests should undergo repeat testing at regular intervals (e.g., monthly).
- If an employee later tests positive for COVID-19 antibodies, a PCR test should be performed to rule out active infection.
- This protocol should continue until the risk is mitigated (e.g., widespread vaccination or herd immunity).
✅ Workers Diagnosed with COVID-19
- Employees with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis are excluded from further antibody testing.
- Recently diagnosed employees should follow de-isolation protocols as per NICD guidelines.
📌 Regular testing and monitoring ensure early detection and reduced workplace transmission.
Option 2: Risk Mitigation for High-Risk Workplaces
✅ Enhanced Strategy for High-Risk Industries
- Applies to aviation personnel, professional athletes, and other high-risk occupations.
- Employees undergo initial COVID-19 antibody testing to identify past exposure.
- Antibody-positive employees require PCR testing to exclude active infection.
- Employees testing negative for antibodies must undergo a PCR test before flights or sporting events.
📌 Additional precautions are necessary for industries with higher exposure risk.
Workplace COVID-19 Testing Workflow
✅ Standard Workplace Screening Protocol
- All employees undergo COVID-19 antibody testing.
- Employees with positive antibody tests and no prior confirmed infection require a PCR test.
- PCR-positive employees must isolate per DOH guidelines.
- Regular screening of employees without antibodies (e.g., monthly testing).
✅ High-Risk Workplace Screening Protocol
- All employees undergo antibody testing.
- Employees testing negative for antibodies must undergo:
- PCR testing before high-risk events (e.g., flights or sports events).
- Employees with symptoms are referred to an occupational health practitioner.
📌 A structured testing strategy helps prevent workplace outbreaks.
Key Takeaways for Employers
✅ Comprehensive screening strategies help prevent COVID-19 outbreaks in the workplace.
✅ Antibody testing identifies employees with past infections, while PCR testing confirms active infections.
✅ Regular testing of at-risk employees reduces workplace transmission.
✅ Symptomatic employees should be assessed by occupational health practitioners and tested promptly.
✅ Preventative measures such as social distancing and mask-wearing remain critical, regardless of antibody status.
📌 For more details or to arrange COVID-19 occupational testing, contact: occupationalhealth@ampath.co.za