Improving Workplace Health and Safety During COVID-19

As restrictions gradually ease and more businesses open in Australia, concerns about workplace safety have arisen. In response to this, Safe Work Australia recently released the National Guide for Safe Workplaces – COVID-19. This general guide contains details on how employers can make their workplaces safe and hygienic spaces.

To improve workplace health and safety during COVID-19 in NSW and elsewhere, company owners must have ready policies and controls in place. These should be rooted in sound medical and health advice designed to reduce COVID-19-related workplace hazards effectively, including the following measures:

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1. Making sure staff with COVID-19 symptoms don’t come to work

Employees need to be educated or trained on identifying and dealing with COVID-19 symptoms, including isolation and quarantining procedures.

Employers must emphasise the need for staff to seek medical advice and get tested when COVID-19 infection is suspected. They are also advised to support their employees to access COVID-19 testing.

As much as possible, employers must also allow workers in isolation or quarantine to switch to remote work setups.

2. Implementing physical distancing measures

The application of physical or social distancing controls can help businesses reduce the likelihood of workplace transmission. Depending on the nature of the business and the tasks of each employee, general physical distancing controls should focus on:

  • Minimising the number of people in a work area and ensuring that a physical distance of 1.5 metres between persons is maintained.
  • Reducing the need for direct or person-to-person interactions when carrying out work tasks.
  • Modifying the workplace layout to support physical distancing.

Employers can continue facilitating work-from-home (WFH) arrangements, where possible. They can also stagger shifts, break times and operating hours to reduce the number of personnel working at the same time.

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3. Screening workers before returning to their workplace

Returning workers need to be reminded of what they are supposed to do if they experienced COVID-19 symptoms in the last 48 hours. Employers should also check if a returning staff member has recently travelled or has been exposed to a confirmed COVID-19 case, and should deal with such cases accordingly.

Touch-free temperature checks along with health and hygiene measures may be implemented to reduce the possibility of workplace infections.

4. Following strict hygiene procedures

To prevent COVID-19 infections, people must continue to practise good hygiene. Companies can put posters or reminders about proper hand hygiene and social distancing practices in prominent sections of their place of business.

 

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They can impose good hygiene practices by:

  • Providing facilities and adequate supplies to ensure good hygiene
  • Ensuring wash areas and toilets are clean and well-stocked with toilet paper, soap, water, and single-use paper towels for drying
  • Providing change rooms and personal protective equipment (PPE) where required
  • Placing alcohol-based hand sanitiser (at least 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol) in high-traffic locations
  • Cleaning and disinfecting high-use or high-touch items for general or public use (e.g. door knobs, railings, pens, EFTPOS machines, menus, etc.)

5. Improving ventilation in indoor workspaces

The risk of COVID-19 infection due to airborne concentration is higher in enclosed spaces. Businesses can work with building or facilities management to determine how natural ventilation can be enhanced.

They should also ensure that their heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems are well-maintained and that indoor air quality is monitored and managed.

There are more specific guidelines intended to address the needs of different industries available on the Safe Work Australia website.

Safety first, always

As more businesses gradually open, everyone must still continue practising safety measures to protect themselves and others from COVID-19.

If you want to know more about our products or how Handband can help enhance workplace safety in your business, please contact us.