ISO 45005 and 45006 – Prevention and management of infectious diseases

What are ISO 45005 and 45006?

ISO 45005 addresses guidelines for Covid-19 alone for organisations, while ISO 45006 provides a broader framework for organisations' prevention, control and management of infectious diseases. Organisations receive practical, action-oriented guidance on how to effectively prevent, control and manage infectious diseases in the workplace. ISO 45006 helps companies protect employees, customers, visitors and other relevant stakeholders – both in day-to-day operations and during outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics.

The standards have been developed as a supplement to ISO 45001 and can be used by any organisation, regardless of size, sector or complexity. They provide a systematic foundation for working proactively and on a risk basis with infection prevention and control, and can be integrated directly into existing occupational health and safety processes.

What does ISO 45006 cover?

ISO 45006 provides concrete examples, processes and recommendations for how organisations can identify infection risks, assess them and select relevant control measures.

The standard shows, among other things, how to:

• identify relevant sources of infection and disease characteristics
  assess risks based on transmission routes, severity and organisational conditions
• select appropriate preventive and protective measures (hierarchy of controls)
• plan, implement and adjust control measures as conditions change
• manage infection cases, outbreaks and emergencies
  address both physical and psychosocial risks related to infectious diseases

The standard also provides guidance on communication, employee involvement, special considerations for vulnerable groups, and how infection control is integrated into the organisation's other workflows.

Three benefits of working systematically with infection prevention

• Stronger protection of employees and operational reliability – fewer infection incidents and less disruption to production and service by working systematically with infection prevention
• Robust prevention and preparedness – clear roles, faster response and better outbreak management
• Better decision-making basis for management – tools for working proactively

With ISO 45006, you get:

• an internationally recognised foundation for preventing and managing infectious diseases
• concrete tools for risk assessment, infection control and ongoing evaluation
• stronger management commitment and clearer roles during infection incidents
• integration of infection control into existing management systems and business processes
• more proactive prevention, better preparedness and a more resilient organisation