Am I a 'permitted worker'? Can I continue to work? Will the work site be allowed to continue with construction?
Site Work pic by Ken Hall on Flickr
We are all feeling it and not sure who got much sleep last night with confirmation of the work restrictions and the extra administrative requirements needed to pull this one off...
On the third, only two days ago, it was announced three lists that would apply during Stage 4 restrictions, in addition to the previous restrictions already in place:
supermarkets, grocery stores, bottle shops, pharmacies, petrol stations, banks, newsagencies, post offices will continue to operate.
Industries where onsite operations will have to cease for the next six weeks including retail, some manufacturing and administration. These businesses will all need to close by 11:59pm Wednesday 5 August, unless they have specific circumstances that mean they need longer to shutdown safely. Retail stores will be permitted to operate contactless 'click and collect' and delivery services with strict safety protocols in place, and hardware stores can remain open onsite, but for tradespeople only.
Industries that are permitted to operate — but under significantly different conditions. All open businesses and services will have until 11:59pm Friday 7 August to enact a COVIDSafe plan focused on safety, prevention and response in the event that coronavirus is linked to the workplace. In industries that can't close, changes to make these workplaces safer that includes mandated reductions to the number of workers onsite. In the meat industry the workforce will be scaled back to two-thirds. Warehousing and distribution centres in Melbourne will be limited to no more than two-thirds the normal workforce allowed onsite at any one time. The construction sector will be allowed to keep operating but with a limited number of people onsite. For major construction sites, that means the absolute minimum required for safety, but no more than 25 per cent of the normal workforce onsite. Small-scale construction will be limited to a maximum of five people onsite.
These workplaces that are continuing to operate will also have additional requirements including extra PPE, staggering shifts, staggering breaks, health declarations and more support for sick workers to ensure they stay home and Worker Permits.
Mr Andrews said on Monday when asked if you could still employ a Tradie, that:
"There'll be no one providing anything other than emergency support. If you need a plumber because a pipe has burst, then yes, you can have a plumber come and do that work. But it's not the time to be painting your house or having unnecessary, non-urgent work happen."
So, construction sites can still carry on working on a reduced capacity but no residential work unless an emergency.
Attached here is a very detailed list of what each industry can and can't do, for your convenience, reproduced from vic.gov.au
The long awaited PERMITTED WORK PREMISES list
What we require by the end of Friday...
From 11:59pm Wednesday 5 August, workplaces in Melbourne must be closed unless:
the workplace is part of a permitted activity, or
all employees are working from home.
From 11:59pm on Wednesday 5 August, employers that require their staff to attend a work site must issue a worker permit to their employees
NOTE: that this is the employer’s responsibility.
Penalties of up to $19,826 (for individuals) and $99,132 (for businesses) will apply to employers who issue worker permits to employees who do not meet the requirements of the worker permit scheme or who otherwise breach the scheme requirements.
There will also be on-the-spot fines of up to $1,652 (for individuals) and up to $9,913 (for businesses) for anyone who breaches the scheme requirements. This includes employers, and employees who do not carry their worker permit when travelling to and from work.
Fine Line Pic by Jonathan Lee on Flickr
Permitted workplaces have until 11:59pm on Friday 7 August to implement their COVID Safe Plan. Industries moving to restricted operations have until 11:59pm on Friday 7 August to implement these restrictions – but any measures that can be introduced sooner should be.
1. Can we continue to work:
2. Copy of Worker Permit
3. Copy of Workplace Attendance Register
4. COVID Safe Plan Guidelines
Details to get those documents personalised for your requirements from us starting
from $50...
Make sure you are all set to start work tomorrow with the right paperwork by giving us a call today or Click here to get a call back and be equipped with your letter of compliance by the end of the day!
References:
Work Site picture by Ken Hall - https://www.flickr.com/photos/summer_winds/
$ Line picture by Jonathan Lee - https://www.flickr.com/photos/23688072@N06/
Business Victoria - https://www.business.vic.gov.au/disputes-disasters-and-succession-planning/covid-safe-business/creating-a-covid-safe-workplace
Department of Justice and Community Safety Victoria - https://www.justice.vic.gov.au/
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