At Excell Security, many of our previous articles have focused on the fact that employees have a right to feel safe when they are at work, as do customers when they visit the premises of any organisation.
Being in the business of security – and living our “protecting what matters” slogan in our work – means we genuinely feel that every person should be able to attend their workplace knowing that they will come home safe and healthy – both physically and mentally. Obviously in the midst of a pandemic the focus is firmly on reducing the spread of COVID-19, and the responsibility of every organisation to ensure a safe workplace has never been more acutely paramount than during Victoria’s current Stage 4 Lockdown.
Whilst many workplaces are temporarily closed, those that remain open have numerous obligations.
In line with the Business Victoria website, under the Stage 4 restrictions, workplaces that remain open must:
Have a COVIDSafe Plan in place that is regularly updated (unless you are a small business with fewer than 5 employees).
Ensure that any workers that can work from home are able to do so.
Collect records of all workers, subcontractors, customers and clients attending the work premises for 15 minutes or longer (certain exemptions will apply).
One worker per four square metres of enclosed workspace or in shared areas (our recent article on the Four Square Metre rule expands on this topic). https://www.excellsecurity.com.au/what-the-four-square-metre-rule-means-for-your-business/
Unless an exemption applies, ensure that workers do not work across multiple sites, or for multiple employers.
Ensure that workers are in good health – workers cannot work if they are unwell and employers must not require workers with symptoms to work.
If your worker is unwell, send them home and direct them to be tested. They must stay home until they have their result.
Report any positive cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) to DHHS, Worksafe, Health and Safety Representatives, and notify your workforce.
Regularly clean your facilities, shared spaces and provide additional cleaning supplies.
Undertake risk assessments for cleaning and the potential closure of your workplace in certain situations.
The creation of a COVID Safe Plan is best done by referring to the official government website and following the guidance and templates provided.
If you require additional support to implement risk assessments for cleaning or security at your workplace, you are welcome to contact our team at Excell Security for a chat – we are here to help.
