Coronavirus: the framework for rapid tests in companies is known

Author: Catherine Mairy (Legal Expert)
Read time: 3min
Publication date: 29/03/2021 - 08:49
Latest update: 29/03/2021 - 08:52

The framework within which rapid tests to detect COVID-19 can be carried out in the company has just been established.

The FPS Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue has worked this out on the basis of an opinion of the High Council for Prevention and Protection at Work of 23 March 2021 concerning the implementation of rapid tests in companies on a repetitive basis.

As a reminder, the Consultative Committee had announced last Friday that antigen tests would be used in risk-sensitive sectors where teleworking is not possible.

What tests?

The framework established by the FPS Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue only covers the rapid tests that must be carried out repeatedly at company level by the services for prevention and protection at work (prevention advisors-occupational physicians).

Self-tests are therefore excluded.

In which cases?

The framework established by the FPS Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue concerns the implementation of rapid tests in three cases.

  1. Tests within the framework of cluster management in the company

Prevention advisors-occupational physicians can carry out tests within the framework of cluster management in companies.

They determine how such tests are implemented (targeted employees, timing and frequency of tests, period of application, etc.).

  1. Tests not based on known infections

Prevention advisors-occupational physicians can carry out tests in companies, outside the framework of cluster management (= tests not based on known infections).

In this case, they can only be carried out under strict conditions (decision by the prevention advisor-occupational physician, consultation with the employer, prior agreement of the FPS Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue, etc.).

  1. Tests imposed by the occupational medical inspector

At the request of the occupational medical inspector (FPS Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue), the prevention advisors-occupational physicians can carry out tests.

What now?

The prevention advisors-occupational physicians can request testing kits using a form available at www.emploi.belgique.be.

The following points were also confirmed:

  • the employee must voluntarily give his consent to be tested (this means, among others, that the purpose of the test must be clear and communicated to him in advance);
  • the result of the test may not be communicated to the employer;
  • the other precautionary measures still apply.

Please contact your service for prevention and protection at work for any request concerning the implementation of tests.

Source: www.emploi.belgique.be.

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