The Spanish Association for Standardization, UNE, has published the UNE-ISO/PAS 45005 Specification Occupational health and safety management. General guidelines for working safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. This standard, the global reference in this area, strengthens the commitment of the Spanish organization for standardization to win the battle against the coronavirus and contribute to the economic recovery in Spain, and is in addition to others developed during the pandemic.
COVID-19 has revolutionised the world of work and business owners and people responsible for human resources departments face unprecedented challenges. Against this backdrop, experts in occupational health and safety from 26 ISO member countries, including Spain, started working on an ISO document in record time. The result was ISO/PAS 45005, now included in the Spanish catalogue.
UNE-ISO/PAS 45005 provides guidance to organisations on how to manage COVID-19 risks to protect health, safety and welfare in the workplace. Its intention is to complement existing national guidelines and regulations.
This document is aimed at organisations of all sizes and sectors, including those working during the pandemic; those reopening or planning to resume operations after a total or partial closure; and those returning to occupy workplaces that have been closed in whole or in part, or which are new and are expecting to operate for the first time. It also provides guidance on the protection of workers of all types and of other relevant stakeholders.
It is not intended, however, to provide advice on how to implement specific protocols for the control of infections in clinical, healthcare and other settings. Governments, regulatory agencies and health authorities provide applicable legislation and guidelines for workers in these environments and in related fields.
The contribution of UNE
UNE has developed several standards designed to help win the battle against coronavirus and to contribute to Spain's economic recovery. Examples of standards that reduce COVID-19 risks are those related to hygienic masks, tourism, funeral facilities and equipment using ultraviolet radiation.
These have been developed in record time to respond to the emergency. For example, the UNE 0064 and UNE 0065 Specifications for disposable and reusable hygienic masks were published before 14 April 2020 to facilitate their manufacturing with quality, safety and speed in the event of shortages.
UNE is a successful model of public-private collaboration.
