Covid-19 Getting back to work safely

6 May 2020

Covid-19 Getting back to work safely

As Australia looks forward to getting back to work, there are some vital steps necessary to do so safely.

Under WHS legislation, employers have a duty of care to ensure their work environment does not put workers and others at risk of contracting COVID-19.

These guidelines include:

*Having a process in place for cleaning the workplace regularly and thoroughly.

*Restructuring the layout of the workplace to allow for physical distancing, and

*Limiting the number of people in the workplace at any given time.

*Requiring staff to practice physical distancing, including through contactless deliveries and payments where possible

*Requiring everyone to practice good hygiene, and

*Requiring others to stay away from the workplace, unless essential, e.g., such as family, friends and visitors.

*Requiring workers to stay home when sick

Employers also must provide adequate facilities in the workplace to protect workers from contracting COVID-19. These are critical and include:

*Washroom facilities including adequate supply of soap, water and paper towels

*Hand sanitiser, where it is not possible for workers to wash their hands, and

*Staff rooms that are regularly cleaned and allow for physical distancing

If you aren’t already, we suggest a relationship with a supplier who can can ensure ongoing stock and seamless delivery will save you from constant runs to the supermarket!

Don’t forget information, training, instruction and supervision is a necessary part of your WHS process and the risk of exposure to COVID-19 arising from work should be included in your safety briefings. Information and training may include:

*Providing guidance on how to properly wash hands (download posters here for your bathrooms)

*Training workers in how to fit and use any necessary personal protective equipment (PPE for cleaning could include gloves, glasses, coveralls, masks – depending on chemicals being used and this is critical for eye/respiratory safety if you’re using HazChem)

*Training workers to exercise adequate cleaning practices throughout the day

*Providing workers with instructions on how to set up a safe home workplace if possible

When consulting on OHS, as with other issues, you must give your team the opportunity to express their views and raise concerns. Workers are most likely to know about the risks of their work so involving them will help build commitment to your processes and any changes you implement. You need to consult:

*When you conduct a risk assessment

*When you make decisions on control measures to use to manage the risk of exposure to COVID-19 (e.g. when introducing working from home arrangements, or restricting the workplace to allow for physical distancing)

*When you make decisions about the adequacy of the workplace facilities to allow for control measures such as physical distancing and hygiene

*When you propose other changes that may affect the health and safety of workers, and

*When you change any procedures that have an impact on the WHS of workers.

If you and your workers have agreed to procedures for consultation, consultation must be in accordance with those procedures. If workers are represented by health and safety representatives you must include them in the consultation process.

Total Commercial Cleaning Solutions assists organisations to effectively manage their cleaning. We can audit your current processes, as well as provide expertise and equipment to help your own staff maintain a safe environment. Please contact us if you’d like to discuss.

For more information, refer to safework Australia and the Covid-19 resource kit for employers, you can access this here.