COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Last updated 11 December 2020

This guide is to help you stay safe at work during the COVID-19 pandemic

This information has been translated into Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Hindi, Korean, Thai, Turkish and Vietnamese.

First things first

Under WHS law, all employers or businesses are required to manage the risk of COVID-19 to workers and others in the work environment.

Businesses and workers must:

1. Comply with national and state public health directions
2. Promote the simple but effective physical distancing and hygiene measures
3. Raise any concerns about the risk of contracting COVID-19 immediately with the employer and work with them to identify solutions. Learn more
4. Monitor the extent of COVID-19 in your community and share any updates and advice from state and federal authorities regularly with workers.

Assess the risk

All workplaces must assess the risk (in consultation with workers) and look for ways to minimise the risk. These may include:

• assessing work activities that involve close personal contact (less than 1.5m)
• implementing controls to reduce direct contact with workers and customers, including:
  • physical distancing of at least 1.5 metres where reasonably practicable
  • barriers and/or modifying workplace layouts to create adequate space at counters, between workstations, seated areas etc.
  • modify shifts, hours and rosters to reduce peak periods. For example, stagger start and finish times, days of the week from home/office.
  • actively support flexible work arrangements, including working from home or other locations.
• Implementing controls to reduce environmental exposure, including:
  • inspecting and reviewing air conditioning and ventilation systems
  • cleaning and disinfection of high traffic areas and shared surfaces
  • provide cleaning products and instruction for cleaning workspaces
  • provide instruction and amenities for personal hygiene and infection control.

Notify us

Businesses (and other PCBUs) are required to notify us of serious illnesses (including COVID-19) arising out of work.

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