COVID-19 National Safe Workplace Principles

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In a media statement from the Prime Minister on 24 April 2020 National Safe Workplace Principles were addressed.  This is timely with schools transitioning back to normal learning, retail shops opening and most likely businesses getting back to more normal.

Nationally consistent, industry specific work health and safety guidelines for COVID-19 are to be accessible through Safe Work Australia. It will consist of guidance and tools to help manage health & safety risks posed by COVID-19.

The National Cabinet however has developed principles to guide the guidance and tools for workplaces.   These are;

  1. All workers, regardless of their occupation or how they are engaged, have the right to a healthy and safe working environment.
  1. The COVID-19 pandemic requires a uniquely focused approach to work health and safety (WHS) as it applies to businesses, workers and others in the workplace.
  1. To keep our workplaces healthy and safe, businesses must, in consultation with workers, and their representatives, assess the way they work to identify, understand and quantify risks and to implement and review control measures to address those risks.
  1. As COVID-19 restrictions are gradually relaxed, businesses, workers and other duty holders must work together to adapt and promote safe work practices, consistent with advice from health authorities, to ensure their workplaces are ready for the social distancing and exemplary hygiene measures that will be an important part of the transition.
  1. Businesses and workers must actively control against the transmission of COVID-19 while at work, consistent with the latest advice from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, including considering the application of a hierarchy of appropriate controls where relevant.
  1. Businesses and workers must prepare for the possibility that there will be cases of COVID-19 in the workplace and be ready to respond immediately, appropriately, effectively and efficiently, and consistent with advice from health authorities.
  1. Existing state and territory jurisdiction of WHS compliance and enforcement remains critical. While acknowledging individual variations across WHS laws mean approaches in different parts of the country may vary, to ensure business and worker confidence, a commitment to a consistent national approach is key, including a commitment to communicating what constitutes best practice in prevention, mitigation and response to the risks presented by COVID-19.
  1. Safe Work Australia (SWA), through its tripartite membership, will provide a central hub of WHS guidance and tools that Australian workplaces can use to successfully form the basis of their management of health and safety risks posed by COVID-19.
  1. States and territories ultimately have the role of providing advice, education, compliance and enforcement of WHS and will leverage the use of the SWA central hub in fulfilling their statutory functions.
  1. The work of the National COVID-19 Coordination Commission will complement the work of SWA, jurisdictions and health authorities to support industries more broadly to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic appropriately, effectively and safely.

There is a range of industry specific information on the Safe Work Australia website including; duties, rights, consultation, risk assessments, emergency plans, COVID-19 in your workplace, health monitoring, physical distancing, hygiene, cleaning, PPE, mental health, work-related violence, family & domestic violence, working from home, training and workers compensation.  The information is very detailed and helpful.

Again, as we have been saying, now is the time to consult and communicate with your team.  Not only is it a requirement but it makes sense if those in the place can contribute and help.

During this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are sending out relevant information weekly to do our bit to assist.  If you are not already receiving them, please sign up via our contact page on our website.

If you require advice on these principles and detailed information relevant to your workplace in your plans to return your workplace towards normal, please let us know.    We are here to help.  We remain available via email or phone – leisa.messer@hrbd.com.au or 0401 271 616 | 07 3890 2066.

 

We hope you are OK.  Take care.  Keep safe.

The Team at HR Business Direction