Background information

The Ministry of Labour issued a Circular (17312/Δ9.506/4.5.2020) concerning four categories of health and safety measures to be taken in the workplace in order to protect all workers, regardless their work status. The Circular addresses private and public workplaces, suspended and currently operating, providing specifications for tackling the spread of coronavirus as an occupational hazard, on the basis of the existing legislation for occupational health for workers in Greece. The employer, in coordination with the Safety Technician and the Occupational Doctor (where and when is needed) detect and evaluate the occupational hazards in the workplace and take the appropriate each time measures in order to secure safety and protect workers’ health.

Content of measure

• Organizational measures, a minimum distance between working positions and avoidance of gathering of many people in the same place. For example, the employer may introduce different timetables, teleworking and rotation work;
• Hygiene measures and personal protective equipment -the employer is required to provide masks, gloves, as well as appropriate facilities (e.g. washbasins) and products (e.g. disinfectants) to all employees and train them as to the proper use. Employees shall adhere to all guidelines for personal protection; *Environmental measures - regular maintenance of ventilation systems at workplace, natural airing, regular cleaning and disinfection of working facilities, surfaces, working tools; 
• Special preventive measures – monitoring of workers’ health, high-risk workers,  a “self-evaluation” form , in order to facilitate businesses in taking all the appropriate measures for the protection of occupational health of their working force.

Use of measure

No available answer.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Applies to all workers	Applies to all businesses	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Company / Companies	No special funding required

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement	No involvement
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

No involvement.

Views and reactions

Unknown.

Sources

• 04 May 2020: Health and Safety measures in order to protect workers at workplace (Circular 17312/Δ9.506/4.5.2020) (www.taxheaven.gr)
• 12 May 2020: Social distancing regulations, safety measures in the workplace, special purpose benefit in May (www.ballas-pelecanos.com)