The impact of coronavirus is wide ranging within the building industry, from effects felt within the supply chain, through to the inevitable questions about its impact on employment conditions and safety.
It is critical that building company supervisors and employees train their staff in strict hygiene
In addition to physical wellness, employers should consider mental health, too, because employers report anxiety among workers as one of the top issues brought on by the coronavirus.
Under the WHS laws, employers must have measures in place to eliminate or manage the risks arising from COVID-19.
To do this, you should keep up to date with the latest COVID-19 information and advice to ensure that any action taken is appropriate. This includes closely monitoring the information provided by the Australian Government Department of Health, the Smartraveller website and advice from state or territory government agencies, including health departments and WHS regulators.
You will not be able to completely eliminate the risk of workers contracting COVID-19 while carrying out work. However you must do all that is reasonably practicable to minimise that risk.
What control measures will be reasonably practicable will depend on the work being carried out by workers and particular workplaces. Generally, you should:
To assist you to do this quickly and efficiently, the Green Building Institute has created an easily understandable and affordable on-line course, in association with the Australasian Infection Control Society. It contains important facts and information from the World Health Organisation, the Federal Department of Health, and WorkSafe Victoria, and is created in such as way to ensure that employers and employees understand the information. Topics covered include:
We recommend putting all your staff through this course as soon as possible. Although a lot of information is freely available on the internet, employers should not rely on their employees finding the correct information themselves, and simply reading it. It is vitally important that they show they understand it; it could be a matter of life or death for some people.
The course can be completed from home on any internet connected device, including phones, tablets, laptops or PCs, and can translate into over 35 languages.
Employers who complete the course are issued with a certification. The course takes about 2 hours to complete. Certification is issued by the Green Building Institute, and the Australasian Infection Control Society.
COST:
The training is free for all trades people, and payment ($49) is only required for certification to be issued.
"Fantastic course! Very informative and detailed. You gain a lot more information compared to the health.gov site and it’s tailored for painters! Would recommend it to any painter who is concerned about the safety of their employers and their clientele. Great awareness and worth doing. Great work guys!"- R. Pergolizzi, Proper Painting P/L, VIC
"I personally felt that it was a positive for me and my workers and my clientele to do this course. I actually learned something and today I did a briefing with my guys and my strata clients and they both appreciated it . It's a win for my business." - M. Antosz, Natural Colour, NSW