CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19): ADVICE FOR PCBUS

Background

Australia is continuing to closely monitor an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (COVID-19) first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause illnesses from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak of COVID-19 as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. While the majority of confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported from Mainland China, cases have been reported in many other countries and regions, including Iran, Italy and the Republic of Korea.

Cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Australia. You can access the latest information on COVID-19 from the Australian Government Department of Health.

Currently in Australia, people most at risk of contracting the virus are people who have:

been in a high-risk country or region recently, or
been in close contact with someone who is a confirmed case of coronavirus

Managing the risks from COVID-19

The model Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws require a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of their workers and others at the workplace. This includes providing and maintaining a work environment that is without risk to health and safety.

To comply with the model WHS laws, PCBUs must identify hazards at the workplace and the associated risks, and do what is reasonably practicable to eliminate those risks, or where this is not reasonably practicable, to minimise those risks.

Whether a control measure is reasonably practicable to implement involves consideration of what is able to be done to manage a risk and whether it is reasonable in the circumstances to do so. The likelihood of the risk occurring, the degree of harm that might result and the availability and suitability of a control measure are key considerations in determining what measures are reasonable. Further general guidance is available in the model Code of Practice: Managing the work environment and facilities.

Exposure to COVID-19 is a potential hazard for workers and other people at workplaces. PCBUs must have measures in place to protect worker health and safety and manage these risks.

PCBUs need to keep up to date with the latest COVID-19 information and advice to ensure that any action taken is measured and appropriate. This includes closely monitoring the Australian Government Department of Health, the Smartraveller website and any advice from state or territory government agencies.

Depending on the workplace, an appropriate range of actions may include:

Closely monitoring official Government sources for current information and advice
Reviewing and promoting your organisation’s policies and measures for infection control
Ensuring workers are aware of the isolation/quarantine periods in accordance with advice from the Australian Government Department of Health.
This includes information on when staff should not attend work
Providing clear advice to workers about actions they should take if they become unwell or think they may have the symptoms of coronavirus, in accordance with advice from the Australian Government Department of Health and state or territory health department
Eliminating or minimising international work travel, in line with the travel advice on the Australian Government’s Smartraveller website
Providing regular updates to workers about the situation and any changes to organisational policies or procedures
Contingency planning to manage staff absences
Providing workers with information and links to relevant services should they require support.

Workers also have a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and to not adversely affect the health and safety of others. Workers should be reminded to always practice good hygiene and other measures to protect themselves and other against infection. This includes:

Washing their hands often, with soap and water, or carrying hand sanitiser and using it as needed
Covering their mouth when coughing or sneezing, but not using their hands to do so
Seeing a health care professional if they start to feel unwell
If unwell, avoiding contact with others (including shaking hands or other touching, such as hugging).

Information and resources

Australian Government Department of Health

Comprehensive information on Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Information for PCBUs is available in Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for employers.
Information and resources for PCBUs and workers in the education, health and aged care sectors and in the travel industry are available in Coronavirus (COVID-19) resources.

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) – Smartraveller website

If you are planning to travel overseas for work, please closely monitor the travel advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) on the Smartraveller website for advice.

Information from WHS regulators

WHS regulators are responsible for enforcing and regulating WHS laws.

Comcare – Comcare has issued guidance for workers and employers on work health and safety and workers’ compensation in relation to the coronavirus outbreak. The information includes advice on WHS obligations, managing risks and compensation coverage.

SafeWork NSW – Coronavirus

Worksafe Victoria

Queensland – WorkCover QLD- Coronavirus (COVID-19) workplace risk management

Northern Territory – NT Worksafe – Getting your workplace ready for COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Tasmania – WorkSafe Tasmania – Novel coronavirus (COVID-19)