KUALA LUMPUR: Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March last year, clusters linked to the workplace have been the chief contributors to the hike in cases in Malaysia.
In fact, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has reported that to date, workplace clusters comprised 53.2 percent or 1,549 of the total number of clusters recorded nationwide.
Local researchers have identified workplaces, especially in enclosed buildings, as having a high risk of being a hive of viral infections, including COVID-19. This is because studies have shown that SARS-CoV-2 - the virus that causes the deadly COVID-19 - can spread through the air.
Even the World Health Organisation has warned about the high risk of COVID-19 transmissions in indoor spaces with poor ventilation systems.
STUDIES BY LOCAL RESEARCHERS
Studies by local researchers have revealed that the COVID-19 virus can remain suspended in the air for up to eight hours in indoor spaces without proper ventilation and can spread as far as six metres in aerosol particles.
One of the studies, conducted over April and May last year by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) academics and led by Department of Earth Science and Environment senior lecturer Associate Prof Dr Mohd Shahrul Mohd Nadzir, found that enclosed spaces with air-conditioning operations that recycle the same air can facilitate the transmission of the virus in the air via aerosols.
Another study, carried out between August and October 2020 by Universiti Tuanku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) indoor air simulation expert Associate Prof Dr Bernard Saw Lip Huat and Universiti Malaya toxicologist Associate Prof Dr Leo Bey Fen, found that the COVID-19 virus particles can remain in the air for over eight hours which makes it difficult to control transmissions.
"This is why it is very important to have good ventilation... windows at home and in the office should be left open to allow fresh air to flow in. However, in the case of offices and factories situated in enclosed spaces where the windows cannot be opened, the proper maintenance of their air-conditioning and ventilation system is crucial," Mohd Shahrul told Bernama.
He said the probability of triggering a COVID-19 cluster is high in a workplace bereft of good ventilation and a well-maintained air-conditioning system if one of the employees happen to be COVID-19 positive as he/she can spread the virus to others through the air.
WORKPLACE CLUSTERS
The findings of the local researchers concerned, which were published in the international scientific journal Nature Scientific Reports in January this year, need to be viewed seriously due to existing statistics pointing to workplaces as prime COVID-19 hotspots.
With the success of the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme and Malaysia possibly attaining herd immunity by the end of October, it has become all the more pertinent for employers to look into their buildings' ventilation aspect, as well as the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to prevent COVID-19 transmissions.
Moreover, more employees working from home now are expected to return to their offices when new COVID-19 cases drop in numbers. Despite being fully vaccinated, they can still get infected and also spread the virus to others. There are also bound to be employees who have yet to receive the vaccine and they are at risk of becoming severely ill should the virus infect them.
"According to a study we did at a hospital previously, a nurse who was fully vaccinated was twice tested positive for COVID-19. But her symptoms were mild, unlike the unvaccinated ones who are at risk of getting to category three to five of the disease," said Mohd Shahrul.
He said one of their studies which examined the movement of the COVID-19 virus inside indoor spaces showed that SOPs such as frequent washing of hands and observing physical distancing may not provide adequate protection against respiratory droplet microparticles that carry the virus transmitted by infected individuals.
"Hence, SOPs must go hand in hand with a good ventilation system," he added.
MORE THAN EIGHT HOURS
Elaborating on the presence of the COVID-19 virus in the air of enclosed spaces, Mohd Shahrul said it happens when droplets released via coughing, sneezing or talking by a COVID-19 positive person adhere to tiny dust particles, particularly those measuring one micrometre in size.
"In the absence of good ventilation, the virus attached to the tiny particles can remain suspended (in the air) for eight hours. In fact, since the COVID-19 virus particles are finer and less than one micrometre in size, it can remain airborne for over eight hours," he explained.
Meanwhile, UTAR's Saw said his study found that 50 percent of the COVID-19 virus spread within a diameter of one metre in an enclosed area while the other half spread beyond two to six metres.
He said the study revolved around a COVID-19 patient who was placed in a hospital ward that was six metres long and fitted with cassette air-conditioning units that could only recirculate the air within the enclosed space and with no air flowing in from outside.
"Based on our study using computational fluid dynamics, we found that the SARS-CoV-2 virus did not go outside the ward concerned.
"It remained suspended in the air in the ward because there was no flow of fresh air to cleanse the virus," he explained.
SANITISE?
Saw also said an individual's risk of infection by airborne transmissions would depend on the amount of virus present in an enclosed building.
"There's no other way... employers must take the issue of indoor air quality more seriously," he said, adding that since most employers use centralised air-conditioners, they must also put in place a system that allows fresh air to flow into the building at regular intervals.
"This is done in China where the air-conditioning system is controlled in such a way that for 30 minutes three times a day, fresh air is allowed into the building to flush out the indoor air. However, not many employers are willing to implement such a system because of the (high) costs involved."
Saw also pointed out there is no point in sanitising the office without maintaining its air-conditioning system regularly because the risk of transmission will rise again if a COVID-19 infected person comes to work two days after the space has been disinfected.
He added that employers can also improve their indoor air quality by using air purifiers that possess the HEPA (high-efficiency particulate absorbing) filter.
WORKPLACE SAFETY
Meanwhile, in view of the threat posed by airborne COVID-19 transmissions, the Ministry of Human Resources, through the Department of Occupational Safety and Health, has developed an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) guide to mitigate the risk.
The IAQ guide's objective is to educate the public on improving air ventilation and indoor air quality at places of work, health facilities, homes and public places so as to reduce the risk of airborne COVID-19 transmissions.
The guide, to be followed in addition to complying with the latest SOPs issued by the National Security Council and other measures to stem the transmission of COVID-19, recommends increasing the ventilation rate, reducing the number of people allowed into a building, keeping the door or windows open, using portable air purifiers and increasing the inflow of fresh air from outside.
Commenting on this, Malaysian Society for Occupational Safety and Health (MSOSH) deputy president 1 Mohamad Aliasman Morshidi said under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) 1994, action can be taken against employers who fail to provide safe workplaces. The context of a safe workplace also includes safeguarding indoor air quality.
"In general, this Act has several provisions, such as Section 15 and Section 17, outlining the obligations of the employer in ensuring a safe working environment, which is also free of health risks, for their workers.
"As such, employers must prove that they have taken the right step to reduce COVID-19 transmissions in the workplace by conducting proper risk assessment and putting in place effective preventive measures based on the SOPs set by the authorities," he said.
Mohamad Aliasman said if the employer or building owner fails to abide by the IAQ or Industry Code of Practice on Indoor Air Quality 2010, they can be prosecuted under OSHA.
As an association actively involved in matters related to the health and safety of workers in Malaysia, MSOSH conducts various programmes to raise awareness on the importance of ensuring that indoor workplaces have good air circulation systems, he said.
This issue has become all the more pertinent now as more people are expected to return to work in their offices or factories as Malaysia prepares to enter the COVID-19 endemic phase in late October when 80 percent of the population is fully vaccinated.
"There are many positive things that we can learn from this pandemic. The issue of workplace safety and health became a major concern after the emergence of clusters that contributed to the rise in cases.
"This is where employers must play a proactive role in ensuring that the COVID-19 transmission risk is managed well in accordance with the level of risk at their workplace, as well as in terms of complying with the necessary SOPs," he said.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Thu Sep 09 2021
![Threat posed by airborne COVID-19 virus at workplaces must be taken seriously - Experts Threat posed by airborne COVID-19 virus at workplaces must be taken seriously - Experts](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-09/71631153256_TBSANITIZEOFFICEjp.jpg)
Local researchers have identified workplaces, especially in enclosed buildings, as having a high risk of being a hive of viral infections, including COVID-19. - BERNAMA filepic
![Hukuman penjara bapa lakukan serangan seksual ke atas 3 anak perempuan dikurangkan Hukuman penjara bapa lakukan serangan seksual ke atas 3 anak perempuan dikurangkan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/51714453013_courtgavelmahkam.jpg)
Hukuman penjara bapa lakukan serangan seksual ke atas 3 anak perempuan dikurangkan
Dalam penghakimannya, Che Mohd Ruzima berkata perayu gagal membuktikan bahawa Mahkamah Sesyen terkhilaf dalam memutuskan kes itu.
Malaysia-Brunei adakan rundingan mudahkan urusan Imigresen
Malaysia dan Brunei akan mengadakan rundingan bagi memudahkan proses keluar masuk rakyat kedua-dua negara.
![Pan-gon mahu kekal hubungan baik dengan Malaysia Pan-gon mahu kekal hubungan baik dengan Malaysia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721124936_KimPanGon.jpg)
Pan-gon mahu kekal hubungan baik dengan Malaysia
Bekas ketua jurulatih Harimau Malaya Kim Pan-gon mahu mengekalkan hubungan baik dengan skuad itu biarpun tidak lagi bersama.
Kos pampasan tanah fasa 1B proses Projek LPB Sabah RM1.2 bilion - Alexander
Anggaran kos pengambilan balik tanah bagi keseluruhan Fasa 1B proses pengambilan tanah dan penilaian pampasan tanah bagi Projek Lebuh Raya Pan Borneo Sabah (LPB Sabah) berjumlah RM1.2 bilion.
Sentiasa berhati-hati, ribut petir diramal berlaku di Sabah
Orang ramai khususnya yang tinggal di kawasan berisiko di Sabah disaran agar bersiap siaga terutama dari segi perubahan cuaca yang tidak menentu yang seterusnya akan mengakibatkan bencana banjir dan pokok tumbang.
Nasib acara sepak takraw wanita diketahui Khamis ini
Nasib acara sepak takraw wanita berpasukan dalam Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) edisi ke-21 di Sarawak akan ditentukan dalam Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa SUKMA Peringkat Kebangsaan pada Khamis ini.
JPBM Sabah serah jentera khas buat pasukan sukarela
Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia (JBPM) negeri Sabah sedang dalam perancangan untuk menyerahkan jentera khas, iaitu Volunter Fire Rescue Tender (VFRT) untuk Pasukan Bomba Sukarela (PBS) di Sabah.
Sarawak akan pertahan pingat sukan Muay Thai edisi lalu
Skuad Sarawak akan berusaha mempertahankan masing-masing dua emas, perak dan gangsa dalam kejohanan SUKMA yang dimenangi dalam edisi lalu.
![Usaha pujuk Pan-gon tidak berhasil - Yusoff Mahadi Usaha pujuk Pan-gon tidak berhasil - Yusoff Mahadi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721124841_TBFAM.jpg)
Usaha pujuk Pan-gon tidak berhasil - Yusoff Mahadi
FAM pernah berusaha memujuk Kim Pan-gon untuk terus mengemudi skuad Harimau Malaya hingga kontraknya tamat secara rasmi pada akhir tahun depan.
![Kaspersky tinggalkan pasaran AS bermula 20 Julai ini Kaspersky tinggalkan pasaran AS bermula 20 Julai ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-02/51708604164_kasperskyancamans.jpg)
Kaspersky tinggalkan pasaran AS bermula 20 Julai ini
Kaspersky mengesahkan kurang 50 pekerja akan terkesan, dan mereka akan diberikan pampasan susulan penutupan syarikat tersebut.
![Malaysia ulangi gesaan akhiri keganasan di Palestin Malaysia ulangi gesaan akhiri keganasan di Palestin](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/61706688348_wismaputra.jpg)
Malaysia ulangi gesaan akhiri keganasan di Palestin
Serangan pada Sabtu mengorbankan nyawa rakyat Palestin termasuk wanita dan kanak-kanak serta mencederakan ratusan individu lain.
![Perkhidmatan kereta api penumpang Thailand-Laos mulakan ujian Perkhidmatan kereta api penumpang Thailand-Laos mulakan ujian](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71720870240_Keretaapithailand.jpg)
Perkhidmatan kereta api penumpang Thailand-Laos mulakan ujian
Perkhidmatan kereta api penumpang merentasi sempadan Thailand-Laos memulakan operasi percubaannya pada Jumaat.
![Malaysia perlukan perubahan, jangan lembap dan duduk di takuk lama - PM Anwar Malaysia perlukan perubahan, jangan lembap dan duduk di takuk lama - PM Anwar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/61717426717_Kualalumpur.jpg)
Malaysia perlukan perubahan, jangan lembap dan duduk di takuk lama - PM Anwar
Kata Perdana Menteri, jika rakyat terlalu selesa, negara akan sentiasa lembap meskipun mempunyai potensi yang besar untuk terus maju.
![Artikel Forbes serlah Malaysia makin dapat perhatian antarabangsa - Ahli Ekonomi Artikel Forbes serlah Malaysia makin dapat perhatian antarabangsa - Ahli Ekonomi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41720782291_KualaLumpur.jpg)
Artikel Forbes serlah Malaysia makin dapat perhatian antarabangsa - Ahli Ekonomi
Majalah Forbes baru-baru ini telah menerbitkan satu artikel yang sangat menarik tentang Malaysia yang sewajarnya perlu diberi perhatian oleh akhbar tempatan dan juga antarabangsa.
![Malaysia siap sedia sebagai Pengerusi ASEAN 2025, fokus tiga tonggak utama - Mohamad Hasan Malaysia siap sedia sebagai Pengerusi ASEAN 2025, fokus tiga tonggak utama - Mohamad Hasan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41720590984_DatukSeriMohamadH.jpg)
Malaysia siap sedia sebagai Pengerusi ASEAN 2025, fokus tiga tonggak utama - Mohamad Hasan
Malaysia bersiap sedia untuk menjadi Pengerusi ASEAN 2025 dengan tiga tonggak utama digariskan iaitu keselamatan dan politik, ekonomi, dan sosiobudaya, kata Menteri Luar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
![Malaysia catat 438 penerbangan mingguan dari China Malaysia catat 438 penerbangan mingguan dari China](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51720528606_SulungQingdao.jpg)
Malaysia catat 438 penerbangan mingguan dari China
Jumlah penerbangan mingguan dari China ke Kuala Lumpur mencecah 438 penerbangan dan dijangka terus meningkat tahun ini, kata Ketua Pengarah Tourism Malaysia P. Manoharan.
![Malaysia, Belanda jalankan ekspedisi bawah air bersama Malaysia, Belanda jalankan ekspedisi bawah air bersama](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51720219967_tbMarkasPemerintaha.jpg)
Malaysia, Belanda jalankan ekspedisi bawah air bersama
Malaysia dan Belanda menjalankan ekspedisi menyelam bersama ke lokasi dua bangkai kapal selam Tentera Laut Diraja Belanda dari Perang Dunia II di perairan Malaysia.
![Malaysia lantik fasilitator baharu untuk Dialog Damai Selatan Thailand Malaysia lantik fasilitator baharu untuk Dialog Damai Selatan Thailand](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81720171355_MOHDRABINBASIR.jpg)
Malaysia lantik fasilitator baharu untuk Dialog Damai Selatan Thailand
Datuk Mohd Rabin Basir dilantik sebagai Fasilitator Kerajaan Malaysia yang baharu bagi Proses Dialog Damai Selatan Thailand berkuat kuasa 1 Julai 2024.
![Presiden Kesatuan Ulama Sedunia Sheikh Ali Al-Qaradaghi adakan lawatan rasmi ke Malaysia Presiden Kesatuan Ulama Sedunia Sheikh Ali Al-Qaradaghi adakan lawatan rasmi ke Malaysia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51720155909_TBnaim.jpg)
Presiden Kesatuan Ulama Sedunia Sheikh Ali Al-Qaradaghi adakan lawatan rasmi ke Malaysia
Presiden Kesatuan Ulama Sedunia Prof Ali Muhyiddin Ali Al-Qaradaghi mengadakan lawatan rasmi ke Malaysia bermula hari ini hingga 12 Julai atas undangan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
![Remaja ditahan di Bandar Sunway, disyaki terlibat pertaruhan EURO 2024 Remaja ditahan di Bandar Sunway, disyaki terlibat pertaruhan EURO 2024](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81720004190_PDRM.jpg)
Remaja ditahan di Bandar Sunway, disyaki terlibat pertaruhan EURO 2024
Seorang remaja lelaki ditahan di sebuah kafe di Bandar Sunway semalam, disyaki terlibat dengan pertaruhan perlawanan bola sepak Euro 2024.