ISO PAS 45005-2020 PDF

Full title and description

ISO/PAS 45005:2020 — Occupational health and safety management — General guidelines for safe working during the COVID-19 pandemic. A Publicly Available Specification giving practical, organization-level guidance on managing risks arising from COVID‑19 to protect worker health, safety and well‑being across sectors and sizes of organisations.

Abstract

This document provides generic guidelines to help organisations identify, assess and manage workplace risks associated with COVID‑19. It covers measures for continuing, resuming or starting operations during the pandemic, and addresses protection for all types of workers (employees, contractors, agency staff, self‑employed, first responders, etc.) and relevant interested parties such as visitors. It is not intended to replace clinical or healthcare infection‑control protocols for medical settings.

General information

• Status: Published (Publicly Available Specification).
• Publication date: 15 December 2020.
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 13.100 — Occupational safety. Industrial hygiene.
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (ISO/PAS 45005:2020).
• Number of pages: 36.

Scope

Provides high‑level, non‑sector‑specific guidance for organisations of all sizes to manage risks from COVID‑19 in the workplace. It supports decision‑making on continuing operations, return to work and re‑occupying premises, and gives advice on protecting a broad range of workers and other stakeholders. The document complements national and local public health guidance and is not a substitute for clinical infection‑control procedures in healthcare settings.

Key topics and requirements

• Risk identification and assessment for SARS‑CoV‑2 transmission in workplace contexts.
• Application of the hierarchy of controls (elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, PPE) to reduce transmission risk.
• Measures for physical distancing, occupancy management and remote working where appropriate.
• Hygiene, cleaning and disinfection practices and routines.
• Ventilation assessment and improvements to reduce airborne transmission risk.
• Use, selection and limitations of personal protective equipment (PPE) in non‑clinical workplaces.
• Worker consultation, participation and communication of policies and controls.
• Business continuity planning, incident response and procedures for suspected/confirmed cases at work.
• Training, supervision and mental health / wellbeing considerations related to pandemic work arrangements.
• Monitoring, review and continuous improvement, and alignment with applicable legal and public‑health requirements.

Typical use and users

Used by employers, occupational health and safety managers, HR and facilities teams, business continuity planners, health and safety consultants, trade associations and regulators to develop or update workplace COVID‑19 safety arrangements. Applicable across sectors including manufacturing, services, retail, education, transport and public administration, and useful for small and medium enterprises without specialist OH&S resources.

Related standards

Related documents include ISO 45001 (occupational health and safety management systems), guidance on psychosocial risks and worker wellbeing (for example ISO 45003), and risk management standards such as ISO 31000. ISO/PAS 45005 was produced by the ISO/TC 283 committee on occupational health and safety management and is intended to complement national public health guidance and sector‑specific protocols.

Keywords

COVID‑19, SARS‑CoV‑2, pandemic, occupational health and safety, workplace safety, risk assessment, hierarchy of controls, PPE, ventilation, cleaning, business continuity, return to work.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO/PAS 45005:2020 is a Publicly Available Specification published by ISO that provides general guidelines for safe working during the COVID‑19 pandemic.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers organisational‑level guidance for identifying and managing COVID‑19 risks in the workplace, including risk assessment, controls (engineering, administrative and PPE), ventilation, cleaning, communication, training and business continuity measures.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Employers, OH&S managers, HR, facilities and operations teams, consultants and regulators across all industry sectors use it to inform workplace COVID‑19 policies and practices.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Published 15 December 2020 as a PAS and remains a published document. As a PAS it can be reviewed or developed into a formal standard; organisations should check for any updated ISO guidance or national requirements. Statement status is current as of 2 March 2026.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is associated with ISO’s occupational health and safety work (ISO/TC 283) and complements ISO 45001 and related guidance (for example on psychosocial risk). It was issued as a PAS to provide timely guidance during the pandemic.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: COVID‑19, SARS‑CoV‑2, occupational health and safety, workplace risk assessment, hierarchy of controls, PPE, ventilation, cleaning, business continuity, return to work.