Considerations on the use of rapid antigen detection (including self-) tests for SARS-CoV-2 in occupational settings

This joint European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and EU-OSHA technical report provides an overview of the use of rapid antigen diagnostic tests for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in occupational settings. It includes a survey of EU-OSHA’s focal points on the use of rapid antigen tests in a workplace context.

The report considers the factors involved in introducing rapid antigen tests in workplaces and concludes that testing can play a role in reducing the spread of the virus in high-risk indoor settings. However, it highlights that testing should be used to complement, rather than replace, other safety and health measures to prevent the spread of the virus. It also stresses the importance of involving authorities, workers, employers and occupational health services when developing a testing strategy for the workplace. Good cooperation between occupational safety and health and public health actors is vital to ensuring everyone is protected.