COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

The management of COVID-19 has transitioned from a national public health emergency response to a known health hazard that persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs), usually an employer or business, must manage under WHS law.

COVID-19 and seasonal respiratory illnesses, such as the common cold and influenza, share similar routes of transmission, so practising COVID-safe behaviours and implementing the control measures outlined in this guidance will also help to minimise exposure and transmission risks for seasonal respiratory illnesses.

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When to notify SafeWork NSW

Notification to SafeWork NSW is required where a worker or other person has contracted / likely to have contracted COVID-19 at the workplace and has required in-patient hospitalisation or has died as a result. Notify SafeWork NSW by calling 13 10 50.

Managing COVID-19 in the workplace

PCBUs are required to manage COVID-19 exposure and transmission risks to workers and others in the workplace in the same way as any workplace health and safety hazard – by using a risk management approach to minimise the risks, so far as is reasonably practicable.

It should be noted that COVID-19 exposure and transmission risks in the workplace may change in the future based on factors such as emerging variants, outbreaks and the level of virus transmission in the community. Until the health risks associated with COVID-19 can be eliminated, PCBUs must keep up to date with NSW Government COVID-19 advice for businesses.

PCBUs must ensure workers are provided with information, training and instruction so they understand the risks of COVID-19, the controls being used and know how to work in a COVIDsafe way.

Important note for healthcare and related high-risk workplaces:

  • While some health, disability and aged care workplaces may have clinical guidelines and infection control procedures in place to manage COVID-19 exposure and transmission risks, PCBUs must comply with their WHS duty to manage known workplace health hazards and their associated risks, including COVID-19.
  • Residential aged care facilities must also review and, where necessary, update their COVID-19 management plan when an “outbreak” occurs (i.e. when 2 or more residents test positive to COVID-19 within a 72-hour period).
  • Workers who work in a high-risk setting and who have tested positive to COVID-19 should talk to their employer about when to return to work.

Relevant PCBUs should also be aware of the following guidance:

Identify hazards and assess the risks

PCBUs must identify and assess the level of COVID-19 exposure and transmission risks in the workplace, in consultation with workers and/or their health and safety representatives (HSRs). Consider:

  • the work being carried out by workers
  • worker interaction with others (such as patients, residents, customers)
  • the size and layout of the premises, if necessary.

When identifying and assessing COVID-19 risks in the workplace, PCBUs should consider the personal circumstances of workers and others in the workplace, such as if they are classified as vulnerable.

Read more about managing hazards and risks.

Control the risks

PCBUs must implement effective control measures to minimise COVID-19 exposure and transmission risks in the workplace by focusing the hierarchy of control measures, so far as is reasonably practicable, and communicate with workers and/or HSRs about any changes or updates.

The types of control measures required to manage COVID-19 exposure and transmission risks in the workplace will depend on the level of risk, as well as the effectiveness and suitability of controls used. PCBUs may use a combination of control measures.

Engineering controls

COVID-19 vaccination

SafeWork NSW considers vaccination against disease as a high order risk control measure and encourages workers to stay up to date with their COVID-19 and flu vaccinations.

SafeWork’s position on the COVID-19 vaccine is that it should be considered as one available control measure in a range of available control measures recommended to manage COVID-19 exposure and transmission risks in the workplace.

A PCBU may require workers to be vaccinated for COVID-19 if it is lawful and reasonably practicable to do so.

Get more information on COVID-19 vaccination.

Ventilation

Poor indoor ventilation can increase the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Poor air quality and movement can cause the build-up of contaminated air, which can remain suspended for some time.

Use outdoor settings for better natural airflow (undercover or shaded areas to protect against exposure to UV radiation) wherever possible.

Improve air quality and movement in indoor areas that use heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems by:

  • avoiding only using recirculated air,
  • increasing fresh air intake and natural air flow where possible,
  • regularly inspecting and maintaining HVAC systems.

Workplaces without HVAC systems should consider improving natural ventilation of indoor area/s by opening windows and doors where practicable.

Learn more about ventilation.

Physical distancing

PCBUs should design the workplace and work activities to enable 1.5 metre physical distancing between workers and others, where reasonably practicable.

Physical distancing can be enabled by:

  • supporting flexible work arrangements such as work-from-home and other hybrid ways of working to reduce the number of workers in indoor environments
  • using technology such as virtual meetings and gatherings
  • redesigning the layout of the workplace to enable workstations, tables, seating, etc to be 1.5 metres apart,
  • installing physical barriers (such as sneeze guards or Perspex screens) between workers and/or customers where 1.5 metre distancing cannot be maintained
  • promoting 1.5 metre physical distancing by using measured floor markings, signage and/or other items to manage pedestrian traffic flow (such as bollards with extendable tape/rope), and
  • reducing worker/customer physical contact where possible​.

Signage and physical barriers are eligible items for the $1000 SafeWork Small Business Rebate.

Administrative controls

Safe work procedures

Workplaces should have a COVID-19 management plan in place that outlines how COVID-19 exposure and transmission risks are being managed at the workplace. While it is no longer a requirement for NSW businesses to register a COVID-19 Safety Plan Checklist, SafeWork encourages PCBUs to continue to use the checklist to outline the actions being taken to minimise the risk of COVID-19 spreading in the workplace and keeping workers and others safe.

Any policy and/or supporting safe work procedures must be developed in consultation with workers and/or their HSRs and should consider:​

  • if there is a COVID-19 vaccination status required for staff to work
  • monitoring workers and others (e.g. students, volunteers, visitors) for COVID-19 symptoms
  • ensuring workers do not come to work if they are unwell
  • testing or screening workers and others in the workplace for COVID-19, such as rapid antigen testing (RAT) if required. While routine RAT screening not required in NSW and is not routinely recommended, some businesses may continue implementing it in their workplace based on the outcome of their risk assessment
  • any requirement for workers and others to wear face masks at work
  • any flexible work arrangements implemented
  • planning how the workplace will respond to a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 in the workplace
  • the requirement to notify SafeWork NSW if a worker or other person is hospitalised or dies as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the workplace​.
Hygiene

PCBUs should encourage increased hand and respiratory hygiene in the workplace. This can be facilitated by:

  • providing handwashing facilities with running water and soap, air hand-dryers and/or paper towels and bins for disposal of waste,
  • providing alcohol-based hand sanitiser at various locations in the workplace, e.g. entrance, counter areas, high traffic areas,
  • avoiding the sharing of equipment. Where this is not possible, ensure equipment is cleaned appropriately between users,
  • displaying posters and signage on correct hand washing technique and respiratory hygiene to remind workers and others of workplace hygiene requirements​, and
  • minimising physical contact where possible

Hand sanitiser dispensers, hands-free rubbish bins and signage are eligible items for the $1000 SafeWork Small Business Rebate.

Workplace cleaning and disinfection

PCBUs should have appropriate cleaning and disinfection procedures in place to minimise the risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19 in the workplace. It is recommended that:​

  • ​hard surfaces are regularly cleaned with warm soapy water and disinfected
  • high touch surfaces such as door handles, counters, phones, debit/credit card payment machines, lift controls and amenities should be cleaned more regularly
  • shared equipment should be cleaned after each use​.

​The manufacturer's instructions must be followed for cleaning and disinfection products provided and used in the workplace. Information and instruction must also be provided to workers (including cleaners) on the cleaning procedures and suitable PPE required for all tasks to be performed.

COVID-19 cleaning and disinfecting guidance is available from Safe Work Australia.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

The use of PPE to minimise the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace must be determined by undertaking a risk assessment in consultation with workers and/or their HSRs.

The PPE required will depend on factors such as the type of business or industry, the type of work being carried out, interaction with others (such as customers or patients), the size and layout of the premises and the existing control measures in place to manage the risk of COVID-19 exposure.

Where PPE is provided as a control measure to minimise exposure to workplace health and safety risks, including COVID-19, PCBUs must:

  • ensure PPE complies with relevant Australian Standards (or international equivalents where relevant)​
  • provide workers with PPE that is suitable for the task/s being undertaken
  • ensure PPE is a suitable size and fit for the workers who are to use or wear it
  • provide workers with information, training and instruction in the proper use, storage and disposal of PPE. ​

Examples of PPE used to minimise COVID-19 exposure and transmission risks include:

  • single-use surgical masks
  • fit-tested disposable P2/N95 respirators – for more details:

Refer to SafeWork NSW guidance, Respiratory protective equipment and requirements for fit testing workers. Visit the Safe Work Australia Masks page and select 'What are respirator masks? How should they be used?'

Additional PPE such as disposable gloves, eye protection and face shields may be required in healthcare and other high-risk settings to minimise the risk of COVID-19 exposure in the workplace so far as is reasonably practicable.

Review and monitor

PCBUs must review and update their risk assessments regularly (and when a confirmed or suspected case has occurred in the workplace) in consultation with workers and/or their HSRs  to ensure the control measures being implemented are effective at managing the risk of COVID-19.

Businesses should also monitor for any new risks that may emerge (such as if COVID-19 advice and guidance changes).

Further information

For more SafeWork information on COVID-19 go to nsw.gov.au.

For businesses

For workers and others

General

Translated resources

SafeWork NSW

Safe Work Australia

Australian Government

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