Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 December 2021
111. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has considered the advice from the Expert Group on the Role of Ventilation in Reducing Transmission of Covid-19; his views on whether there is a role for this advice in assisting businesses in hospitality, tourism and the experience economy; if guidance has been produced for business owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60804/21]
View answerThe Government’s Expert Group on Ventilation was set up by the Minister for Health in February 2020, to provide scientific advice on the role of ventilation and other control measures in mitigating against the risk of long-range (airborne) transmission of SARS-CoV-2. In its second report, published in March 2021, the Expert Group concluded that ventilation is an important factor in reducing the risk of long-range airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2, particularly in enclosed spaces. Clean air is vital in minimising its spread so adequate ventilation, and air filtration measures where necessary, can provide practical and effective ways to facilitate clean air in enclosed workspaces.
From the outset, this Government has committed itself to protecting workers as much as possible from COVID-19. The Workplace Safety Protocol sets out a range of public health measures that should be put in place to mitigate against the spread of COVID-19 in workplaces.
The Expert Group has been very supportive of the approach taken to workplace ventilation in the Work Safely protocol. The Work Safely Protocol contains a section on ventilation to assist employers in all business sectors to understand the importance of ventilation in reducing the risk in the spread of SARS-CoV-2. The Health and Safety Authority has also produced a ventilation check list for employers as having adequate ventilation in the workplace is a compliance requirement under the Work Safely Protocol. In addition, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) published on 18 November 2021 a document called “Guidance on non-healthcare building ventilation during COVID-19” which also highlighted that inadequately ventilated indoor spaces present a risk for SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
It is worth noting that existing occupational safety and health legislation creates a requirement for employers to ensure that there is an adequate supply of fresh air (ventilation) in enclosed areas of the workplace. The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 currently creates a requirement on employers to make sure that there is an adequate supply of fresh air (ventilation) in enclosed areas of the workplace. The evaluation of ventilation in a workplace should form part of an overall workplace risk assessment. The Health and Safety Authority also has enforcement powers to seek improvement in ventilation in workplaces
Separately, the National standards Authority of Ireland has established a registration scheme that certifies an individual as a competent independent third party to validate that a ventilation system has been installed, balanced, and commissioned to meet the minimum requirements of Technical Guidance Document (TGD) F - Ventilation (2019) to the Irish Building Regulations.
