Coronavirus Updates and Safety for Employers

Currently, Australia is continuing to respond to prevailing Covid-19 pandemic through their government enforced resources. This includes rules that affect which work industries can operate and how they can operate. Below, we have compiled a list of the latest resources you can refer to, to get up-to-date rules.

Workplace rules and safety

Understand vulnerable workers

Those who are more vulnerable to serious illness if infected with COVID-19 are:

-   Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 50 years and older with one or more medical conditions

-   People over the age of 65 years with medical conditions.

-   People aged over 70 years.

-   People with compromised immune systems

If you work with, or have someone working for you who fits in one of these categories, then risk assessment must be undertaken to determine whether the worker is fit for continued work.  

Consult with your workers

You must consult with your workers on health and safety matters to ensure clarity and understanding. If any major changes are planned to be carried out, then ensure you consult with your workers first and ask for their opinions before proceeding. If you want to understand more about your workers’ situation before determining what to do with them, then make sure you understand the privacy obligations employers need to have first.

Promote good hygiene

To promote good hygiene to your staff, you can provide essential goods such as sand sanitisers, masks, gloves and eye protection to your staff. Not all staff will need all protective gears, the Australian Government Department of Health has published a general guide on who should use masks.

Other ways you can promote good hygiene and keep the work environment safer is to open windows or use an air conditioner to for more air ventilation, and ensure that the supply of soap, water and toilet paper are adequate at all times.

Make physical distancing rules clear

Currently, the latest physical distancing rule in regards to work are as follows:

-   Cancel all non-essential meetings, or hold meetings via video conference or a phone call

-   Frequently clean and disinfect surfaces that can be easily contaminated. 

-   Stand at least 1.5 metres away from anyone else.

-   Limit food handling or sharing of food

-   Avoid physical greetings such as hugs and handshakes

-   If you have to travel, then avoid peak hours.

-   Avoid public gatherings and getting close to higher risk groups such as the elderly.

For the latest physical distancing rules, please visit the Australian Government Department of Health Website.

If you have any more questions or need more information on workplace safety and rules, then please visit Safe Work Australia.

For general updates on Covid-19 and how to protect yourself and your loved ones, then visit Health Alerts.